Prescription Processing Software

Physicians and pharmacies can benefit from the use of prescription processing software in their practices. The software packages allow prescriptions to be sent from the physician or her clinic electronically, rather than using prescriptions written on paper.

Prevalence

• A 2006 study published by the "Journal of American Pharmacists Association" examined the use of prescription processing software in both rural and urban areas. The study concluded that most pharmacies used some type of processing software, but vendors varied depending on whether the pharmacy was independent or part of a chain of businesses.

Benefits

• Prescription processing software can save physicians and clinics time, decrease costs and reduce errors that occur with handwritten and hand-carried prescriptions. Prescription software packages have saved insurance claims processing organizations money in long-term scenarios and physicians have seen improvements in the ability to manage patients with multiple chronic conditions and medication therapies.

Government

• Federal mandates regarding prescriptions encourage the use of prescription processing software. For example, a law took effect on January 1, 2009 disallowing faxed prescriptions for patients using Medicare. Processing software eliminates the use of fax machines when a prescription must be sent to a pharmacy without the patient carrying the prescription by hand.