What is E-prescribing?

Electronic prescribing, or “e-prescribing” is the computer-based electronic generation, transmission and filling of a prescription, taking the place of paper and faxed prescriptions.  E-prescribing allows a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to electronically transmit a new prescription or renewal authorization to a community or mail-order pharmacy.

It must provide the following:

• Generating a complete active medication list incorporating electronic data received from applicable pharmacy drug plan(s) if available

• Selecting medications, printing prescriptions, electronically transmitting prescriptions, and conducting all safety checks (safety checks include: automated prompts that offer information on the drug being prescribed, potential inappropriate dose or route of administration, drug-drug interactions, allergy concerns, or warnings or cautions)

• Providing information related to the availability of lower cost, therapeutically appropriate alternatives (if any)

• Providing information on formulary or tiered formulary medications, patient eligibility, and authorization requirements received electronically from the patient’s drug plan

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/472/electronic-e-prescribing.pdf