In August 2015, Vermont became the 50th state to legalize EPCS
On June 1, 2010, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Interim Final Rule titled “Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances” became effective. More than 5 years later, the adoption of EPCS by Vermont in August 2015, marks the last milestone on the pathway to embrace rules that allow e-prescriptions for controlled drugs; making EPCS legal nationwide.
Remarkable efforts to progress towards EPCS adoption accompanied with the implementation of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) registries at state-level, demonstrate the nation’s commitment to improve patient safety. In the long run, EPCS shall help achieve significant health improvements for the population and put a halt to the prescription drug abuse epidemic which at present plagues our nation. In 2014 alone, there were more deaths reported from prescription drug abuse than cocaine and heroin combined.
Despite the initial challenges, EPCS has finally received the acknowledgment it deserves and its adoption is steadily attaining momentum. Combining e-prescriptions for controlled substances in the same flow as non-controlled substances has made the e-prescribing model complete in the true sense; thereby establishing e-prescribing as one of the most successful healthcare standards.
On March 13, 2015, iPatientCare successfully integrated EPCS into its EHR’s existing e-prescribing framework and stood up to the challenge by demonstrating compliance with all intricate norms set by the DEA, including third-party certifications and adherence to specific technology standards. Practitioners across the nation, can now use iPatientCare EHR to prescribe controlled substances electronically and route them to pharmacies via the Surescripts e-prescribing network.
