The letter also urged the Drug Enforcement Agency to promptly issue rules to adopt electronic prescribing. The DEA has been studying the issue for more than six years, having issued an “advance notice of proposed rule making,” which is akin to a request for information, in March 2001. The DEA in early December announced its intent to issue a proposed rule in June 2008 with the comment period ending in September.
Controlled substances make up about 12.5% of prescriptions, and some automation proponents are concerned that requiring these prescriptions on paper is hampering e-prescribing. The DEA continues to have concerns about how to ensure an electronic prescription for a controlled substance is legitimate. The bi-partisan group of senators that signed the letter to Mukasey, however, believe existing e-prescribing technology actually will improve DEA’s ability to combat the diversion of drugs.
For text of the senators’ letter to Mukasey, send an e-mail to joseph.goedert@sourcemedia.com.
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