Push to Approve E-Prescription Law

Advocates Push for U.S. to Approve E-Prescription Law
Bi-partisan coalitions are urging U.S. legislators to approve a law requiring physicians use a computer or similar hand-held device when prescribing patient medication.

Throughout the U.S. an estimated $2 trillion is expected to be spent in health care this year and experts indicate around 25 percent of this will be waste and duplication.

Proponents of the bill indicate hundreds of thousands of prescription drug errors are made due to handwritten orders, causing drug mix-ups, wrong dosages and allergic reactions.

By enforcing doctors to adhere to e-prescribing, advocates say the health care industry will reduce potentially harmful drug interactions, eliminate illegible handwriting and cut patient wait time at the pharmacy. They also report e-prescribing will drive down overall health care costs by reducing the amount of paperwork and increasing the amount of information for the physician – hence, lowering drug costs.

News / Current Events