GLG News Analyses of the following article:

Electronic Prescription Drug Act of 2007

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Published at: www.thomas.loc.gov

A definite plus

September 24, 2007

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Electronic prescribing cuts the potential for errors in transcription, drug interactions andlost prescriptions.

A Winner, maybe...

September 24, 2007

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

I tracked down the proposed law online, and seems to still be in a very rough draft state;  I find it hard to believe that a doctor will be paid $1.00 per electronic prescription.  That can actually add up to a lot of money per month, and actually make me NOT groan when, at the end of a visit, the patient whips out a long list of medications he forgot to tell you he needs written out for mail order (and maybe a set of the same for 30 days at the local pharmacy, just in case!). 

Safety for Patients and Physicians with Electronic Presriptions

August 10, 2007

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Legible prescriptions are important because misread handwriting can lead to drug erors and possible fatal outcomes. In pain management,  illegible prescriptions could also possible allow  patients to alter doses/numbers and place both physicians and themselves at jeopardy, as well as potentially contribute to the increasing problem of drug-diversion.

No More Enabling Pharmacists?

August 10, 2007

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

For centuries pharmacists have enabled physicians' terrible handwriting of prescriptions.  In fact, in some circles, it has become almost a matter of competitive pride among pharmacists concerning who can decipher the worst physicians' handwriting. That little competition will come to a grinding halt if the legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator John Sununu is passed later this year.  The "Electronic Prescription Drug Act of 2007" (S 1915 IS) was introduced on August 1 just before the Congressional Summer Recess.  It will reward physicians starting this January who submit electronic prescriptions and penalize those pharmacies receiving and continuing to fill non-electronic prescriptions.