Government
Stakeholders support mandatory electronic prescribing in Medicare
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 19, 2008
The Pharmaceutical Care Management Assn. has gained more allies in its campaign calling for a requirement that physicians use electronic prescribing in Medicare.
The PCMA, which represents benefit managers that administer the Medicare drug benefit, along with dozens of consumer groups, business organizations and prescription drug stakeholders, sent a letter to Congress on May 1 supporting an e-prescribing mandate. The signatories included AARP, General Motors Corp., Express Scripts Inc. and the American Medical Group Assn.
The PCMA wants lawmakers to add e-prescribing to a Medicare physician payment bill expected this spring. The American Medical Association and community pharmacists oppose a mandate but support voluntary e-prescribing initiatives.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/05/19/gvbf0519.htm.
