The Basics

This standard requires that your PBM's pharmacy dispensing system supports electronic prescribing and can integrate with the PBM's drug management systems.  The standard is designed to promote coordination with both internal and external systems.  In order to do this, the electronic prescribing system must comply with the National Council Prescription Drug Program (NCPDB) standards.  That organization provides each pharmacy with a unique identifier to facilitate such electronic transactions.

Management Tips

The main thing in a manager needs to do with this standard is to make sure that the policies and procedures describing electronic exchange of prescribing information are clearly written and fully implemented.  Your system may include:

• a unique provider identifier;
• the promotion of consistency with security standards;
• the promotion of safe and effective prescribing.

URAC Accreditation Tips

This is a mandatory standard.

The desktop review submission is merely the applicable set of policies and procedures.

The on-site review will involve a demonstration of the e-Prescribing system.  In addition, the reviewer likely will talk with dispensing pharmacists in order to determine that the system has been implemented and is being used.