Electronic prescribing

Electronic prescribing allows healthcare providers to write and send prescriptions electronically. The benefits include:

• enhanced patient safety by reducing the risk of transcription errors
• improved efficiency in prescribing and dispensing medicines
• increased access to patient prescription records
• increased patient choice and convenience
• supports telehealth consultations
• removes the need for handling and storing physical paper prescriptions.

Electronic prescriptions are available nationally as a ‘token’ (sent to the patient via SMS or email) or can be added to an  Active Script List (ASL).  This process generates a unique token in the form of a QR code. The prescribing doctor will send patient a link with the QR code by email or SMS. One token equals one medicine.

To generate an electronic prescription, you will need the capability built into your clinical information system.

How electronic prescribing works using a 'token'

1. A patient requires a prescription and has chosen to receive it as an electronic prescription.
2. The prescriber issues the patient with an electronic prescription via SMS or email.
3. The patient shares their electronic prescription token with their preferred pharmacy.
4. The pharmacy scans the token to view the electronic prescription and dispense the medicine.
5. If the prescription has repeats, then a new token is sent to the patient via SMS or email by the pharmacy.

Active Script List (ASL)

An Active Script List (ASL) is a ‘virtual’ list of patient’s active prescriptions. Patients can register for an ASL by visiting a pharmacy that is set up to offer this service.

The benefits include:

• patients no longer need to keep track of the SMS or email tokens. This information will now be stored in one consolidated list.
• more convenient for patients who take multiple medicines.

Patients can request the removal of a pharmacy’s access to or discontinue their Active Script List by emailing the ASL registry provider via info@medicationknowledge.com.au