The benefits of electronic prescription management in retail pharmacies

By Robin R. Sommers Last updated Feb 10, 2023

Electronic prescription management (EPM) is a technology-based system used by retail pharmacies to manage the dispensing of medications. It provides a secure platform for the storage, tracking and retrieval of patient information, including prescription orders, refill requests and patient profiles. This article aims to explore the various benefits that EPM provides to the retail pharmacy setting.

Reduced Operating Costs

EPM systems can significantly reduce the operating costs of a retail pharmacy. By automating many of the administrative tasks associated with prescription management, EPM systems can free up valuable resources and personnel, resulting in cost savings. Additionally, EPM systems can reduce the amount of paperwork required for processing prescriptions, which can further reduce overhead expenses.

Increased Efficiency

EPM systems are designed to improve the efficiency of prescription management. By providing a streamlined process for filling prescriptions, EPM systems can reduce wait times for patients and streamline inventory management for pharmacists. This improved efficiency can lead to increased customer satisfaction and improved profitability.

Increased Accessibility

EPM systems can provide increased accessibility to patients by allowing them to request refills and access their prescription history online. This can be especially beneficial for patients who are unable to visit a retail pharmacy in person. Additionally, automated refill reminders and medication alerts can help ensure that patients are taking their medications as prescribed.

Improved Accuracy

EPM systems can improve the accuracy of prescription orders by providing a secure platform for entering and tracking patient information. Automated order validation systems can help ensure that the correct medications are being prescribed, and that the correct dosage and quantity are being dispensed. This can help reduce the risk of medication errors and improve patient safety.

Reduced Administrative Tasks

EPM systems can reduce the administrative burden of pharmacists by automating many of the tasks associated with prescription management. This can free up time for pharmacists to focus on more complex tasks, such as counseling patients on their medications and providing advice on drug interactions. Additionally, automated order validation systems can help pharmacists ensure that prescriptions are accurate and compliant with regulations.

Increased Time for Patient Care

EPM systems can help pharmacists maximize their time by automating many of the administrative tasks associated with prescription management. This can free up more time for pharmacists to provide patient care and counseling, resulting in improved patient outcomes. Additionally, automated refill reminders and medication alerts can help ensure that patients are taking their medications as prescribed.

Secure Data Storage

EPM systems provide a secure platform for storing patient information, including prescription orders, refill requests and patient profiles. This can help protect patient data from unauthorized access and reduce the risk of data breaches. Additionally, EPM systems can provide additional layers of security, such as encryption and user authentication.

Reduced Risk of Fraud

EPM systems can help reduce the risk of fraud by providing a secure platform for tracking and verifying prescription orders. Automated order validation systems can help ensure that the correct medications are being prescribed and dispensed, and that the correct dosages and quantities are being dispensed. Additionally, EPM systems can help pharmacists detect and prevent fraudulent activity by providing detailed reports on prescription orders.

Integrated Systems

The future of EPM systems lies in the ability to integrate with other healthcare systems, such as electronic medical records (EMR) and electronic health records (EHR). This integration can provide a more comprehensive view of the patient’s health, allowing pharmacists to make more informed decisions when dispensing medications. Additionally, integrated EPM systems can provide more detailed reporting on prescription orders, allowing pharmacists to quickly identify and address any discrepancies.

Centralized Database

A centralized database can provide a single source of truth for all prescription orders and patient information. This can help streamline the prescription management process and provide a more comprehensive view of the patient’s health. Additionally, a centralized database can reduce the risk of data breaches and provide enhanced security for patient data.

Privacy Regulations

EPM systems must comply with all relevant privacy regulations, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). These regulations are designed to protect the privacy of patient data and ensure that patient information is only accessed by authorized personnel. Additionally, EPM systems must be designed to ensure the security of patient data and prevent unauthorized access.

HIPAA Compliance

EPM systems must be designed to comply with all relevant HIPAA regulations, including the Privacy Rule, Security Rule and Breach Notification Rule. These regulations are designed to protect the privacy and security of patient data and ensure that patient information is only accessed by authorized personnel. Additionally, EPM systems must be designed to detect and prevent unauthorized access to patient data.

Electronic Medical Records

EPM systems can be integrated with electronic medical records (EMR) systems to provide a more comprehensive view of the patient’s health. This integration can provide a more detailed view of the patient’s prescription history, allowing pharmacists to make more informed decisions when dispensing medications. Additionally, EPM systems can be integrated with EMR systems to provide automated refill reminders and medication alerts.

Electronic Health Records

EPM systems can be integrated with electronic health records (EHR) systems to provide a more comprehensive view of the patient’s health. This integration can provide a more detailed view of the patient’s prescription history, allowing pharmacists to make more informed decisions when dispensing medications. Additionally, EPM systems can be integrated with EHR systems to provide automated refill reminders and medication alerts.

Training Requirements

The adoption of EPM systems can be hindered by the training requirements associated with the technology. Pharmacists and other personnel must be properly trained in order to use the system effectively. Additionally, personnel must be regularly updated on new updates and changes to the system.

Cost of Technology

The cost of implementing EPM systems can be a barrier to adoption. The technology can be expensive, and the cost of purchasing and maintaining the system can be prohibitive for some retail pharmacies. Additionally, the cost of training personnel and providing ongoing support can further increase the cost of adoption.

Access to Internet

Access to the internet can be a barrier to adoption of EPM systems. Many retail pharmacies lack reliable and stable internet access, which can hinder the effectiveness of the system. Additionally, the cost of installing and maintaining an internet connection can be prohibitive for some retail pharmacies.

Software Installation

The vendor providing the EPM system should provide assistance with the installation and setup of the system. This can help ensure that the system is properly configured and functioning correctly. Additionally, the vendor should provide assistance with troubleshooting any issues that may arise during the installation process.

Technical Support

The vendor providing the EPM system should provide technical support for the system. This can help ensure that the system is functioning correctly and that any issues are quickly resolved. Additionally, the vendor should provide assistance with troubleshooting any issues that may arise during use of the system.

Summary of Benefits

EPM systems offer numerous benefits to retail pharmacies, including reduced operating costs, increased efficiency, increased accessibility for patients, improved accuracy, reduced administrative tasks for pharmacists, increased time for patient care, enhanced security, and improved integration with other healthcare systems. Additionally, EPM systems must comply with all relevant privacy regulations, such as the HIPAA, in order to ensure the security of patient data.

Recommendations for Implementation

In order to ensure a successful implementation of EPM systems, retail pharmacies should ensure that personnel are properly trained, the system is properly set up, and that the vendor providing the system offers adequate technical support. Additionally, retail pharmacies should ensure that the system is properly configured and functioning correctly, and that all relevant privacy regulations are being followed.

References:

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). (2020, October 12). Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/
Electronic Prescription Management. (2020, October 12). Retrieved from https://www.pharmacysoftware.com/electronic-prescription-management
Eckert, M. (2020, August 28). Benefits of Electronic Prescription Management Systems for Retail Pharmacies. Retrieved from https://info.talyst.com/blog/benefits-of-electronic-prescription-management-systems-for-retail-pharmacies