Widespread Adoption by Physicians is the Key to Saving Lives
and Reducing Costs for Consumers and Payors

(Washington, DC)—A new survey published today by Health Affairs finds that less than one in ten physicians utilize electronic (e)- prescribing as part of electronic health record (EHR) systems. This underscores the fact that more must be done to encourage the widespread adoption of e-prescribing by physicians. Congress should act quickly to create a national, uniform e-prescribing standard that will save lives and reduce costs for consumers and payors, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) said today.

“Physicians aren’t using e-prescribing technology, in part because of the myriad of state laws and the new Medicare standard make it complicated to use. The fact that physicians have to conform to multiple e-prescribing standards is a hindrance to adoption,” said PCMA President Mark Merritt. “For example, a physician in Washington, DC would have to comply with DC, Virginia, Maryland, and Medicare standards to meet all their patients’ needs. These findings confirm that Congress must adopt a national e-prescribing standard that will encourage widespread adoption by physicians, resulting in greater quality, safety and reduced costs.”

The benefits of e-prescribing are well documented and include a reduction in medical errors that result in serious illness and hospitalizations. In addition, e-prescribing increases adherence to drug regimens, educates physicians and patients to lower-cost and effective alternative treatments, and drives generic utilization and the mail-service pharmacy option.

A national, uniform standard is supported by a wide-range of organizations representing more than 240 million Americans with prescription drug benefits provided through public and private payors, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AARP, the AFL-CIO, and Consumers Union.

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PCMA is the national association representing America’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which lower the cost of prescription drugs for more than 200 million Americans with coverage provided through Fortune 500 employers, health insurers, labor unions, and Medicare Part D

Contact Information:
Phil Blando, 202-207-3614
Charles Coté 202-207-3605