ePrescribing

Electronic prescribing, commonly known as e-prescribing, refers to the use of electronic systems to generate, transmit, and manage prescriptions. It is typically integrated into electronic health records or used as a standalone system that communicates with pharmacies over secure networks, replacing handwritten or faxed prescriptions to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Clinicians enter the medication order into an e-prescribing system used within an EHR or a dedicated eRx platform. The software checks patient data for allergies and existing medications, alerts for potential interactions or dosing errors, and can verify formulary coverage and patient cost. The prescription is transmitted securely to the patient's chosen pharmacy, which fills and dispenses it and confirms back to the prescriber.

Core features include clinical decision support, real-time formulary and benefit checks, prior authorization workflows, and digital refill management. Benefits include reduced medication errors from illegible handwriting, faster dispensing, improved adherence, easier reconciliation during care transitions, and cost transparency.

Standards such as NCPDP SCRIPT in the United States and HL7 or FHIR extensions elsewhere support interoperability. Privacy and security are governed by health information regulations; systems employ authentication, encryption, audit logs, and access controls to protect patient data.

Adoption varies by country and setting. Challenges include interoperability between systems, upfront costs, workflow integration, and occasional outages. Special rules apply to controlled substances in many jurisdictions.