Released: July 01, 2008

E-prescription networks merge

Source: Zachary Goldfarb, Washington Post (Free Registration)

The nation’s two electronic prescription networks plan to announce today that they are merging in an effort to encourage the adoption of their technology by doctors and patients.

Alexandria-based SureScripts and St. Paul, Minn.-based RxHub are extensions of different parts of the pharmaceutical industry. SureScripts is owned by retail and independent pharmacies; RxHub is owned by three major drug benefit managers, which are also mail-order pharmacies. The companies say they hope the broader use of the technology will cut down on costs and medical mistakes.

For about seven years, the firms have tried to persuade doctors to dump handwritten prescriptions in favor of sending prescriptions electronically to pharmacies and mail-order suppliers. But doctors have been slow to adopt. Only 2 percent of the 1.5 billion annual prescriptions are submitted electronically to pharmacies. 

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