Electronic Prescribing Rates Increase
St. Louis College of Pharmacy
4588 Parkview Place * St. Louis, MO 63110 * www.stlcop.edu
Contact: Brad Brown
Director, Public Relations
(314) 691-3130 – Cell
e-mail: brad.brown@stlcop.edu
Aug. 15, 2012
Electronic Prescribing Rates Increase
What Patients Need to Know
(St. Louis)- Patients may be surprised on the next trip to the doctor’s office not to walk away with a prescription written on a piece of paper. An increasing number of physicians are using electronic prescriptions sent directly to the pharmacist. A recent national review by Surescripts found that both Missouri and Illinois rank in the top half of all states for the number of electronic prescriptions dispensed.
For pharmacists, the technology has both potential and pitfalls. No longer does a pharmacist have to struggle to read a physicians’ handwriting. There will also be fewer phone calls and faxes made to clarify the physician’s instructions. Renewals are also easier as the pharmacist sends an electronic request to the physician to review.
On the other hand, some errors still persist. A 2011 study by the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association found that approximately 12 percent of e-prescriptions contained errors, which is about the same risk of error in written prescriptions.
Matt Pitlick, Pharm.D., an assistant professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy says, “Whether the prescription is sent electronically or written on a pad, patients have to be vigilant to make sure they’re given the correct medicine. Errors are rare, but the best time to catch them is before the patient leaves the pharmacy counter.”
Dr. Pitlick says there are several steps patients can take to protect from potential errors:
• Ask your doctor to write down both the brand and generic names of the medication, the dosage size and frequency as well as what it’s for on a separate piece of paper. Check the information when you receive your prescription.
• Bring a list of all medications you are taking, including vitamin supplements, herbal supplements and over-the-counter medication to your pharmacist. Ask about possible side effects or harmful interactions.
• Ask your pharmacist about alcohol interactions with the new medication. Alcohol may be an ingredient in an over-the-counter medication.
• Ask your pharmacist if the medication will impact the liver or kidneys, especially if you have decreased function in those organs.
• Some medication should not be prescribed to patients who are 65 and older. Have your pharmacist double check the prescription against the “Beers list”.
• If your medication changes color, size, or shape between refills, ask your pharmacist if it is the same medication.
About St. Louis College of Pharmacy: Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy is the fourth oldest and 10th largest college of pharmacy in America. The College integrates the liberal arts and sciences with a professional curriculum and introductory and advance practice experiences where students can develop expertise and become leaders in the field and their communities. Beginning in 2014, the seven-year curriculum leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree will also include a Bachelor of Science. The college admits students directly from high school and accepts transfer students and graduates from other colleges and universities. More than 1,250 students are currently enrolled from 25 states and several countries. Additional information is available at www.stlcop.edu.
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