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January 6, 2016
E-Prescribing for Controlled Substances Now Legal Across U.S.

Arlington, VA—With the 50th state finally granting approval, controlled substances now can be legally prescribed and dispensed electronically everywhere in the United States.

This fall, Vermont became the final state to allow it, ending a 5-year campaign by pharmacy groups and others who advocated for electronic prescribing, believing it to be a safer alternative to written prescriptions.

“Following a protracted battle, on September 15, Vermont became the final state to allow e-prescribing for all controlled substances, including Schedule II painkillers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine,” according to an article from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). “This is an important step forward in the fight against prescription fraud and drug abuse.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration legalized electronic transmission of all controlled substances, with several conditions in 2010. The NACDS notes, “It took five more years for all states to modernize their prescribing laws and regulations to permit electronic controlled substances prescriptions, and for technology vendors to develop systems that complied with the DEA rules, which require, among other things, two-factor authentication.”

“The DEA-approved electronic process provides much more protection from diversion than the current system of paper and oral prescriptions, and makes it easier for patients to get the medications they need, while helping to prevent fraud and abuse,” according to the NACDS.

The nation’s largest health information network also applauded the universal use of e-prescribing for controlled substances.

“Care providers, pharmacies and government officials are working together to combat the prescription drug abuse epidemic that plagues our nation,” said Tom Skelton, CEO of Surescripts, “Throwing out the prescription pad and opting for an electronic process makes it easier for patients to get the medications they need while helping to prevent fraud and abuse.”

Surescripts reports that, in the first half of 2015, it processed 4 million electronic prescriptions for controlled substances, a significant increase over the 1.6 million processed in all of 2014.

The company also is leading an online effort to educate physicians on the steps they need to take to begin using e-prescribing for controlled substances.


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