IT

E-prescriptions Coming Soon for Addictive Drugs

US drug regulators are close to allowing doctors to electronically prescribe potentially abusive medications like painkillers, rather than requiring written orders, a Drug Enforcement Administration states. The governing body is close to having a regulation on e-prescribing controlled substances published. While the move could make it easier for doctors and patients to manage their prescriptions, recent studies have found that few doctors have adopted electronic medical systems in the US. A New England Journal of Medicine study published earlier this week found that just four per cent of physicians have 'fully functional' computerised health records systems while another 13 per cent have more basic systems. Unlike most prescription medications, those with high potential for abuse, face a variety of restrictions depending on their level of risk.

Some medications that treat attention deficit disorder, some painkillers and other drugs that are considered highly abusive at present must be sold with a written prescription.

Refill orders for less risky drugs, including other painkillers and some sleep medicines, can be phoned into a pharmacy after the doctor's initial written order.

Under the new rule, doctors could prescribe the restricted medicines electronically, but it was not clear which drugs would apply. The administration refuses to divulge further details until the rule is published.

Reuters