eRx Script Exchange
January 29, 2013
The Electronic Transfer of
Prescriptions (ETP) has emerged as a
major success story for community
pharmacy.
Electronic prescription systems
have now been adopted by over two-thirds
of Australian pharmacies - a
significant take up rate which
reflects very well on the capacity of
pharmacy to get involved in
technological advances which add
real value and benefit for patients.
eRx Script Exchange is a Prescription
Exchange Service that has been
operating for three and a half years.
Over this time, 3,300 pharmacies and
14,000 doctors have used eRx.
ETP offers many benefits to the
daily processes in pharmacy.
Firstly, and most importantly, the
dispensing process is made safer with
automated matching and pre-filling
of all fields as provided by the doctor
(or previous pharmacy for repeats).
Secondly, the dispensing process is
generally more efficient, as data is
pre-filled in the dispensary system.
In addition to these benefits, the
use of ETP will enable other eHealth
initiatives to become a reality.
While over two thirds of
pharmacies are already involved,
there are still many pharmacies
which are yet to get on board this
quiet revolution.
The case for moving to electronic
prescriptions is extremely strong,
both in clinical and business terms.
Patient safety, minimisation of
dispense errors, business efficiency,
and systemised retention of data are
the major areas of benefit.
While it is acknowledged that many
community pharmacies are doing it
tough in the current economic
conditions - especially with further
PBS Reform price cuts coming in
April - it still makes good business
sense to make the small investment
required to upgrade to electronic
prescriptions.
There is no net ongoing cost to use
eRx, and the whole billing process
can easily be automated.
It's an investment for the long term.
The Guild believes every pharmacy
should be on board with eRx Script
Exchange.
See www.erx.com.au, call 1300 700 921,
or email support@erx.com.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 29 Jan 13To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 29 Jan 13