Fed Study Confirms e-Prescription Savings Potential

A new federal study underscores the potential of electronic prescription systems to slash prescription drug costs.

So-called “e-prescribing” systems that allow doctors to select lower-cost or generic medications can save $845,000 per 100,000 patients per year and possibly more systemwide, according to findings from a new study funded by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The findings might have important financial implications, the study’s authors concluded. As e-prescribing systems become more widely available and easier to use, their greater use among doctors is likely. Complete use of e-prescribing systems with formulary decision support could reduce prescription drug spending by up to $3.9 million per 100,000 patients per year, according to the study’s authors. http://ping.fm/1lWac