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August 25, 2004
OVER 75% OF US PHARMACIES ENABLED TO COMMUNICATE WITH PHYSICIANS ELECTRONICALLY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2004
OVER 75% OF US PHARMACIES ENABLED TO COMMUNICATE
WITH PHYSICIANS ELECTRONICALLY
SureScripts Establishes Largest Network for Electronic Prescribing
ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 25, 2004 — SureScripts announced today that it has become the largest network provider of electronic prescribing services. To date, SureScripts has signed agreements, tested and certified the software of pharmacies and pharmacy technology vendors representing more than 75 percent of U.S. pharmacies. In addition, SureScripts has signed contracts with software companies who supply electronic health record and electronic prescribing applications to physician offices representing more than 50,000 current physician users.
In addition to the healthcare industry‘s endorsement, government groups are recommending electronic prescribing because it enhances patient safety and streamlines processes for patients, physician offices, and pharmacies. 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.
"Medication errors due to poor handwriting and drugs with similar sounding names are among the errors that will be sharply reduced by the electronic prescribing provisions of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA)," said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.
"One of my first priorities when I arrived at HHS was an enhanced nationwide health information technology infrastructure. I was amazed to find that technology used at the grocery store check out line is more advanced than in some hospitals and doctors offices. Pharmacies that are adopting electronic prescribing are taking an important step in the direction of improving our Health IT system."
The healthcare industry’s objective of enhancing patient safety has driven the need for a nationwide, secure, reliable network for electronic prescribing. With pharmacies in over 30 states active on the SureScripts network, the company is committed to building awareness and encouraging utilization among physicians. Initiatives across the country that ally physicians, pharmacists and other healthcare stakeholders in efforts to improve patient safety and the quality of patient information demonstrate SureScripts’ commitment.
"Pharmacies have taken the critical first step in making electronic prescribing a reality through their active implementation of SureScripts Messenger™ Services,” said Kevin Hutchinson, SureScripts president and CEO. “In 2004, our ‘year of deployment,’ with support from industry leaders, we have successfully established a strong infrastructure by partnering with major health software companies to deploy a neutral and open network to physician offices and throughout retail pharmacy. As we move toward 2005, our ‘year of utilization,’ we are preparing for increasing numbers of physicians and pharmacies to conduct transactions.”
About SureScripts
SureScripts was founded by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), which represent the interests of 55,000 chain and independent pharmacies. The company 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. More information about SureScripts is available at www.surescripts.com.
CONTACT
Mike Beyer
(312) 961-2502
mike.beyer@ritzcommunications.com
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