Building momentum toward electronic prescribing of controlled substances
As electronic prescriptions become more widespread throughout the healthcare industry, controlled substances have prevented the full adoption of e-prescribing; however, electronic prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS) should become increasingly available this year as e-prescribing networks test their new EPCS systems and expand their limited coverage areas.
EPCS was made possible by new DEA rules updating the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), effective June 1, 2010, but necessary e-prescribing network upgrades, existing state laws, and stronger security requirements have slowed implementation. The new DEA rules allow practitioners to send electronic prescriptions for controlled substances and pharmacies to receive them, but software for both practitioners and pharmacies must be certified by an authorized third-party.
In order to meet EPCS security standards, both the software and the user must be able to digitally prove their identities. User credentials will require a two-factor authentication using at least two of the following three methods:
- Knowledge-based, including passwords or challenge questions;
- Hard token, such as RSA SecurId; or
- Biometric, such as fingerprint or retina scan.
As existing e-prescribing networks and software upgrade to meet the latest requirements for certification, we can expect to see the benefits of e-prescribing improve the prescription of controlled substances in the very near future.