PCMA recommends total e-prescribing by 2010

WASHINGTON In response to an analysis by the Institute for Safe Medications that found that the Food and Drug Administration has received a record number of reports of serious drug reactions, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association recommended that all physicians begin prescribing drugs electronically by 2010 in a statement made Thursday.

“Securing full physician adoption of e-prescribing as soon as possible is critical to improve safety and quality in our healthcare system,” PCMA’s statement said.

The statement mentioned that 1.5 million harmful medication errors occur annually, and the Institute for Safe Medications’ analysis included 4,800 deaths.

“A new law in Medicare addresses this issue by providing incentives for physicians to use e-prescribing for America’s seniors,” the statement said.