ePrescribing

Electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) enables all stages of the prescribing, supply of medicine and claiming process to be completed electronically. E-prescribing will improve the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) through better clarity and communication of prescription information, rapid information exchange, and improved quality prescribing with the potential to reduce errors and adverse medication events.

In Australia, the Department of Health and Ageing, NEHTA and Medicare Australia are developing a process to support PBS online claiming. This work includes the e-medication management component of the Personally Controlled E-Health Record, allowing prescriptions to be securely transmitted direct from the GP's desktop to the dispensing pharmacy. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and NEHTA have also developed a toolkit for the safe implementation of electronic prescribing and dispensing in hospitals.

In New Zealand, the eMedicines Programme is introducing electronic systems to support the safe, effective and appropriate use of medicines. The Programme is jointly sponsored by the Health Quality & Safety Commission and the National Health Board/National Health IT Board. Components of this program include:

• New Zealand ePrescription Service (Community)
• Inpatient ePrescribing
• Medicines Reconciliation
• NZ Universal List of Medicines
• NZ Medicines Formulary