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EmailCanada Health Infoway wants to understand the challenges faced by pharmacists today and how e-prescribing can help. This is why Infoway partnered with the Canadian Pharmacists Association and Environics Research to conduct a National Survey of Community-based Pharmacists in 2022.
Below are some of the key findings.
The Challenges
The majority of prescriptions still arrive at pharmacies using antiquated means.
Most prescriptions (49%) arrive at pharmacies via fax
28% of prescriptions received by pharmacies are paper-based (handwritten or printed) and are brought in by patients
When pharmacists need clarification from a prescriber on a prescription, communications can be a challenge.
50% of pharmacists are dissatisfied with the time required to communicate using fax
46% of pharmacists are dissatisfied with the time required to communicate using phone
The Value of e-Prescribing
Pharmacists who receive e-prescriptions value the ability of e-prescribing to reduce fraud and transcription errors, as well as the ability to improve collaboration and gain workflow efficiencies. All pharmacists agree on the value of e-prescribing:
70% say electronic two-way communication with prescribers improves the quality of patient care
69% say e-prescribing will help reduce inappropriate use or diversion of opioids and other controlled substances
69% say digital solutions such as e-prescribing improve patient care
It’s not surprising then that 91 per cent of pharmacists not currently using e-prescribing services would like their pharmacy to be able to send or receive prescriptions electronically within the next five years.
- 51% say it will reduce medication errors
- 62% say it will increase productivity
- 74% say it would save them time spent deciphering legibility on handwritten prescriptions
- 69% say it would save them time spent transcribing
To learn more about the value of e-prescribing, download the full survey, 2022 National Survey of Canadian Community Pharmacists: Use of e-Prescribing and Digital Tools in Practice.