January 31, 2006
Are We Ready for ePrescribing?
The California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) has published a new report on ePrescribing. Over 3.27 billion prescriptions are written each year. Within the complex prescription drug industry, most of the functions necessary to process these transactions are managed electronically. The last to switch to computers are doctors—85 percent of whom are still using their notepads.
This CHCF-funded report provides an overview of the prescription process including organizational, financial, and IT elements that influence how prescriptions are handled today. It examines the issue of ePrescribing (eRx), including the opportunities it presents to streamline information management and the potential payoffs for both physicians and pharmacies.
Although various obstacles may slow the transition to eRx, the report points to market and technology trends that are adding to the momentum for the change, and concludes that the potential benefits of the technology could be considerable.
The report also gives an overview of opportunities and obstacles, the ideal eRx and an interesting look into the future which includes dealing with issues such as: Medicare Part D; improving compliance in chronic patients; the role of incentives and the need for unified standards.
The California HealthCare Foundation is an independent philanthropy committed to improving the way health care is delivered and financed in California, and helping consumers make informed health care and coverage decisions. Formed in 1996, our goal is to ensure that all Californians have access to affordable, quality health care.
CHCF commissions research and analysis, publishes and disseminates information, convenes stakeholders, and funds development of programs and models aimed at improving the health care delivery and financing systems.
Full CHCF Report (pdf)