NCPA Article Link
Pharmacists in Pennsylvania are working with SureScripts to push electronic prescribing to providers. As a technology enthusiast, I am all for this type of progressive action. Taking a step back, have we as pharmacists considered the ramifications of electonic prescribing in its entirety? Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) systems provide a number of tools to the provider at the point of prescribing. These include drug interaction checking and DUR screening. At what point to providers allow this function to replace the function performed in the pharmacy? Consider a CPOE system in a provider's office with a robotic dispensing technology (Parata RDS, etc). In the state of Texas, it is almost legal for a prescription to be dispensed without pharmacist review if it is entered electronically and never touches human hands. This means providers order, robot dispenses, and pharmacy only provides consultant services.
As a profession we must continue to strive for integration with the healthcare team at the point of care. Taking pills from a big bottle and putting them in a little bottle may not be our primarly role in 20 years. We may be providing more cognitive services to patients, and preventing high cost healthcare as a result.
How do you see the future of pharmacy?