Why does Opioid crisis commission recommend increased electronic prescribing?

Opioid crisis has been a pressing problem in America which recently caught the attention and concern of the whole world when President Donald Trump declared it as a public health emergency on 26th October 2017. He also convened a commission to address and combat the problem. It is because of the rampant prescription of the painkiller and its abuse that a huge population of America went down the spiral and got chained to the addiction to heroin and other stronger opioids.

Post the analysis; the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis n convened by Donald Trump released a 131-page report that included more than 50 recommendations that could significantly help in controlling the problem.

/ Unregulated prescribing and availability of these drugs was realized as the root cause.
/ Implementing eRx solutions was strongly recommended as a primary solution.

The report also suggests that to control the situation, the Prescription Drug Monitoring (PDMP) Act of 2017 must be passed.

/ This would mandate the implementation of PDMPs in states that receive federal funding and ensure that there is no misuse of the grant.
/ This act also directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to fund the establishment and maintenance of a data-sharing hub so information could be shared across states.

Although it seems like the commission did a wonderful job analysing the crisis and proposing solutions, there are still some issues that are wired loosely and need more attention.

However, there's one solution that's clearly going to change the situation on a positive scale and that is the implementation of eRx software for prescribing. Some of the reliable eRx developers like Vinfotech have made sure to load the software with features that ensure that prescriptions are truly administered to the patients.

/ eRx solutions keep an entire record of patient's health. This binds the prescribers to prescribe powerful drugs only when they are really needed or the only option for treatment.
/ Since eRx software enables the prescriber to monitor the effect of drugs on patient's health, these drugs can be ruled out of the prescription as soon as the desired progress is seen.
/ eRx solution providers can also help in regulating the illegal selling of such drugs. Guidelines allowing the sale of drugs only on the prescription of an authorized clinical person will restrict people from easily availing and consuming such powerful drugs.

There are several other ways too in which electronic prescribing can help in having a control over traditional prescribing, availability, selling, and consumption of potential drugs. So, increasing the use of eRx software is an absolutely justified solution proposed by the opioid crisis commission.

Vinfotech has been providing e-prescription and EMR solutions for almost 10 years now. Empathy is at the core of our healthcare software development because we practice design thinking. We have developed healthcare software systems for hospitals, doctors, doctorpreneurs and healthcare providers over the years. We are currently building eRx software solutions for some of the most trusted names in healthcare. We can assist you if you are interested in building empathetic eRx solutions. Do give us a call.