Start in Germany: The new possibility for e-prescribing in pharmacies

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The insured must insert the card into a reader at the pharmacy, no password is required. Announced in mid-June, the innovation will have a positive impact on the business of DocMorris, the mail-order pharmacy in Thurgau. After the sale of its business in Switzerland, the group focuses primarily on the German market, where it is particularly dependent on the implementation of e-prescriptions.

According to the German Ministry of Health, 80 percent of pharmacies are expected to offer this new route by card by the end of July. So far, e-prescriptions can be used using an extra smartphone app or a printed QR code instead of the usual pink piece of paper.

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach counts on the rapid spread of the new method. “E-prescribing makes the prescribing and dispensing of medicines safer, faster and easier,” the SPD politician told the DPA news agency. Usage will start gradually as you will have to get used to it initially. “With the new payment method via insurance card, e-prescription becomes practical and standard.”

The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Doctors in Germany recently warned against false expectations that e-prescriptions will be available in all medical practices from Saturday. It is planned to introduce a legal obligation for this.

According to the ministry, e-prescriptions are stored on a central server (e-prescription specialist service) on the health system’s protected data highway. When the insurance card is inserted, the pharmacy has the authority to call and use e-prescriptions for the relevant insured from there.

It was stated that since no e-prescription is stored on the insurance card, there is no need for any technical regulation for the cards. The e-prescription application or paper printing options may still be available.

(SDA)

Source :Blick