Wogen S et al. 2003 "Improving the efficiency of the prescription process and promoting plan adherence."

"Growing prescription volumes and complex pharmacy benefit designs have contributed to inefficiencies in delivery of the pharmacy benefit. Point-of-care (POC) prescribing systems are hypothesized to reduce these inefficiencies while improving formulary adherence through electronic communication of patient benefit information to prescribers before the prescription is written. We tested this hypothesis at a 14-physician medical practice. Implementation of an electronic prescribing system incorporating formulary messaging led to a 42% reduction in number of pharmacy calls to the physicians' office. Formulary-related calls decreased 84% while compliance with the plan formulary was maintained, and prescription clarification calls (e.g., because of illegibility) fell 30%. Mail-service pharmacy utilization increased at twice the rate of that in a control group, helped by the inclusion of passive reminders of a home delivery benefit transmitted electronically at the point of care. POC technology facilitates management of the pharmacy benefit by providing prescriber access to patient-specific clinical and benefit information during the patient encounter. Efficiency gains for patients, physicians, and pharmacists can be realized while also improving benefit plan adherence."