Alaska Allows Electronic Prescriptions

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail;  Primary Care / General Practice
Article Date: 21 Aug 2007 - 8:00 PST

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Alaska this week became the final state to allow physicians to send electronic drug prescriptions directly to pharmacists, the AP/Los Angeles Times reports. The move came after the state Board of Pharmacy received several requests from physicians and businesses, according to board member Dick Holm. Electronic prescriptions can reduce the risk of prescription filling errors because of illegible handwriting, and they also can reduce paperwork and help prevent forgeries. Drug Enforcement Agency regulations still require handwritten prescriptions for some controlled substances, such as OxyContin.

Nancy Davis, executive director of the Alaska Pharmacists Association, said that she supports electronic prescribing but that the cost of implementing e-prescribing systems could hurt some smaller, independent pharmacies. Physicians in the state will not be required to use electronic prescriptions if they choose to continue using handwritten prescriptions (Halpin, AP/Los Angeles Times, 8/17).

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