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August 05, 2004
Fifty Percent of Independent Pharmacies Now Able to Connect with Physicians through Surescripts Messenger Services™
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2004
Fifty Percent of Independent Pharmacies Now Able to Connect with Physicians through Surescripts Messenger Services™
Etreby Computer Company, HealthCare Computer Corporation, McKesson Corporation, and QS/1 Data Systems Recognized as SureScripts Certified Solution Providers™
ALEXANDRIA, VA -- August 5, 2004 -- SureScripts announced today that it has now certified technology solutions that serve roughly half of the country’s independent pharmacies. Recently certified solutions include those offered by SureScripts Certified Solution Providers™ Etreby Computer Company, HealthCare Computer Corporation (HCC), McKesson Corporation, and QS/1 Data Systems. SureScripts’ certification process not only requires that the solution be able to connect seamlessly with the SureScripts neutral electronic prescribing network, but also requires providers to follow certain business rules that will ensure doctor’s choice of therapy and patient’s choice of pharmacy.
In addition, 13 pharmacy system vendors representing approximately 7,000 independent pharmacies are undergoing SureScripts pre-certification testing with SureScripts technology partner, NDCHealth. These vendors are: Health Business Systems, Inc.; Pacific Computing; Compusolve, TDS; Foundation; Interactive Systems & Management Corp. (ISM), Carepoint, Data Doc, Computer Rx; Midco Data, Solid Data Systems; JASCORP and Best Computer Systems, Inc.
“Today’s announcement represents a key milestone for the independent pharmacy community,” said Bruce Roberts, Executive Director and CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). “Independent pharmacies currently sell $67 billion annually in prescription drugs. The rapid adoption of electronic prescribing using the SureScripts network will greatly enhance patient safety, process efficiencies and patient convenience. Independent pharmacies are excited to be able to deliver the benefits of true electronic prescribing now available through its major vendors.”
Prior to connecting with SureScripts Messenger™ Services for the electronic exchange of prescription data, all physician and pharmacy technology vendors must go through an implementation and certification process to become a SureScripts Certified Solution Provider™. This process ensures that technology partners’ systems conform to SCRIPT message formats as approved by the National Council of Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) and that their technology can successfully exchange prescription data between physicians and pharmacies via the SureScripts network.
"Etreby is happy to join the national effort to implement electronic prescribing and empower our independent community pharmacy clients to be active participants,” said Bill Etreby, Pharm.D., President and CEO of Etreby Computer Company.
“With industry leaders like Etreby, HCC, McKesson, NDCHealth, and QS/1, we are significantly closer to fulfilling our mission of improving the prescribing process for all, including the independent pharmacists who represent 41 percent of the retail prescription market,” said Kevin Hutchinson, president and CEO of SureScripts. “These commitments continue to demonstrate our strong partnerships with members of the industry who are dedicated to ensuring patient safety through electronic prescribing.”
A recent House subcommittee panel testified that electronic prescribing could improve patient care, boost efficiency, and translate into substantial savings of as much as $27 billion in healthcare costs, due to fewer medication errors and reduced duplication. The panel cited a report by the eHealth Initiative, which said another $2 billion in savings would come from fewer hospital and doctor visits as a result of a reduction in prescribing errors.
"I've been a proponent of electronic prescribing for a very long time," noted David Feeney, pharmacist/owner at Oxnard Pharmacy in Warwick, R.I, who uses QS/1’s pharmacy management software, RxCare Plus. "The economies and efficiencies it offers pharmacies and pharmacists are excellent. And doctors seem to respond faster to electronic refill requests than to faxes or phone calls. In fact, one physician who usually takes two days to respond to a refill request actually responds to my electronic request in minutes. That saves a lot of time for everyone."
About Etreby Computer Company
Etreby Computer Company has a long-standing commitment to serve the technology needs of healthcare professionals. For more than two decades, Etreby has been providing the finest software solutions to pharmacy professionals nationwide. Community pharmacists have always relied on Etreby to provide technologically advanced, user-friendly software systems that efficiently improve workflow, increase profits, and lower operating costs. A wide array of products, along with superior customer support, has positioned Etreby as an industry leader. For more information about Etreby Computer Company, visit www.etreby.com
About HCC
HealthCare Computer Corporation (HCC) is the culmination of technology companies owned and operated by Rex Akers, R.Ph. HCC has been a national provider of computer applications for the healthcare industry since the 1980s. HCC takes pride in providing a range of services and total system support nationally for care providers in pharmacy, durable medical equipment, and pharmaceutical care. Additionally, HCC offers quality solutions for Point-Of-Sale and Online DME Medicare Claims Processing. HCC has over 2,500 satisfied customers nationwide, who enjoy quality products and HCC's commitment to serve their practice needs today and tomorrow. For more information, visit us at www.hcc-care.com.
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation is a Fortune 16 healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes and improving the quality and safety of patient care. Over the course of its 170-year history, McKesson has grown to provide pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payers; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payers designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
About NDCHealth
NDCHealth is uniquely positioned in healthcare as the leader in point-of-care systems, electronic connectivity and information solutions to pharmacies, hospitals, physicians and payers.
About QS/1
QS/1, a leading provider for pharmacy software, serves more than 9,000 customers in independent pharmacies, drug/food chain pharmacies, institutional pharmacies, hospital outpatient pharmacies and HME businesses. QS/1 is a division of the J M Smith Corporation, the third largest privately held company in South Carolina. For additional information, visit the QS/1 website at www.qs1.com.
About SureScripts
SureScripts is committed to building relationships within the healthcare community and working collaboratively with key industry stakeholders and organizations to improve the safety, efficiency and quality of healthcare by improving the overall prescribing process. At the core of this improvement effort is SureScripts Messenger™ Services, a healthcare infrastructure which establishes electronic communications between pharmacists and physicians and enables the two-way electronic exchange of prescription information. Today, companies and software vendors representing 50 percent of the pharmacies in the United States have completed the testing and certification process to connect to SureScripts Messenger Services and are at various stages of pharmacy and market roll-out. SureScripts Messenger Services is the first step to support true electronic prescribing in an industry still reliant on fax, phone, pen and paper. More information about SureScripts is available at www.surescripts.com.
SURESCRIPTS CONTACT
Mike Beyer
Ritz Communications for SureScripts
312-961-2502
mike.beyer@ritzcommunications.com
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