What is e-Prescribing?
E-Prescribing, or electronic prescribing, is the method of electronically sending a prescription to a pharmacy using software on a computer or other electronic device, such as a tablet or smartphone. This replaces the need to handwrite, fax, or phone in prescriptions.
Medication management and prescribing workflows are greatly improved by e-Prescribing. It allows providers to:
- Access a patient's prescription history
- Access a patient's prescription benefit information
- Electronically send a patient's prescription to their chosen pharmacy
How Does e-Prescribing Work?
e-Prescribing is driven by software which is used to electronically send a prescription to a pharmacy. When a patient is seen by a prescriber, the prescriber can use their e-Prescribing (eRx) software from a computer or handheld device to write and send a prescription. The eRx software then routes the prescription through a hub, such as Surescripts ®, and then on to the pharmacy. It is sent just as quickly as sending an e-mail, and often times prescriptions are ready and waiting for the patient before they even arrive at the pharmacy.
e-Prescribing software also allows for the pharmacy to electronically send a refill request to the prescriber. This is the same process as a new prescription, only reversed. The pharmacy requests a refill which is routed through a hub and then can be seen and responded to by the prescriber in their eRx software.
An added benefit of using e-Prescribing software is that prescribers can access the patient’s eligibility, formulary, and prescription history information. This information is sent from the PBM (Pharmacy Benefit Manager), usually through a hub ( such as Surescripts), and can then be seen in the e-Prescribing software at the time of prescribing.
How Does e-Prescribing Benefit Providers?
- Lower costs - Avoid penalties and earn incentive payments
- Access to a complete drug database
- On hand tools such as dosing calculators
- Secure prescribing - eliminates stolen prescription pads and patient altered paper prescriptions
Faster workflows
- Less time spent on the phone with pharmacies
- Ability to save lists of favorite prescriptions so that they may be quickly prescribed in the future
- Electronically respond to refill requests quickly and easily
How Does e-Prescribing Benefit Patients?
- Shorter pharmacy wait times
- Lower prescription costs - prescribers can access a patient’s eligibility and formulary information and pick the prescription with the lowest price
- Compliance - patients are more likely to pick up a prescription that has been e-sent than a paper prescription
- Education Materials - providers can print out drug leaflets for patients
Increased safety
- Reduced errors due to illegible handwriting
- Alerts for dangerous drug interactions - providers can access the patient's prescription history and avoid adverse interactions
- Dosing recommendations and alerts based on patient's age and body weight