E-Prescribing


 

Publication Date: November 2001

Publisher: California HealthCare Foundation

Author(s): Peter Kilbridge

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Abstract:

Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) is the use of an automated data entry system to generate a prescription, rather than writing it on paper. Automation of the outpatient prescribing process has many potential benefits to different health care stakeholders, especially patients, physicians, pharmaceutical companies, health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and employers. The purpose of this report is to clarify the concept of e-prescribing and examine its status in practice today, including: how it is used; business considerations of different parties; obstacles to adoption; and prospects for the future.