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ePACT.net is the data access tool that allows authorised users to view and analyse the most up to date prescribing data available from the Prescription Pricing Authority.

Having accessed our web site, selecting the ePACT.net logo will cause the Login Dialog box to be downloaded from our website to your browser. Further details of how to Login are available in the Logging On user guide. See System Requirements for further details and sources of possible problems. If you have a valid User Identifier and Password supplied by the PPA then entering these details and confirming with the OK button will cause the main window to be downloaded. Your browser will display the window below

Toolbar

		Tag Having made a selection in any of the three data dimensions of the Data Selector it is possible to save the selection for use at a later date. The name of any saved tags will appear in the selection list of the dimension that they were saved under.
		Shared Tag This will start a screen to allow you to view, use and copy BNF Tags created by other users.
		Get Data This button is used to submit the request to the PPA database for immediate processing and return of results to the Results Canvas in the form of a Report or Graph. To see the results there must be an active report or graph open in the results canvas.
		Graph This button will change the Result Canvas to display the Graph Template screen where an existing template can be selected or a new template created before generating the graph to display the information selected from the Data Selector.
		Report This button will change the Result Canvas to display the Report Template screen where an existing template can be selected or a new template created before running the report to display the information selected from the Data Selector.
		Search This button displays the Search screen which can be used to find Primary Care or BNF items using standard search facilities. The results of one or more searches can be built into a list that can be saved as a Tag for future use.
		Busy The workman on the Busy button will become animated when the system is busy retrieving information. Note: Clicking this button has no effect.
		Help This button will open a new browser window in which will be displayed these help pages.

Menu

Menus are provided to mirror the functionality provided by the Toolbar buttons.

Data Selector

The Data Selector is divided into three data dimensions, corresponding to Period, Organisation and BNF. The selections made are interpreted and converted into queries which are run against the PPA database.

Results Canvas

The Results Canvas section of the screen is where Graphs and Reports are designed and their results displayed.

If you are new to ePact.net, consult the User Guide first. This will show you, step by step, the techniques for performing the most common tasks.

For further information on 'Prescribing Measures' and their application visit www.psu.co.uk