Due to a new legal regulation, the number of electronic prescriptions issued almost quadrupled at the beginning of the year. Since then, patients have redeemed a total of almost 36 million e-prescriptions, as the mostly federally owned digital agency Gematik announced in response to a request from the dpa news agency. In December there were still 8.8 million. A total of 54.5 million e-prescriptions had been redeemed as of February 1st.
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E-patient record: Where everything comes together
Since January 1st, all practices have been required to issue prescriptions electronically as standard. Instead of the usual pink slips, they can be redeemed in three ways: by inserting the health insurance company’s electronic health card into a device at the pharmacy, using a special e-prescription app or with a printed QR code on paper.
The mandatory use is regulated by a law passed by the Bundestag, which the Bundesrat will finally deal with on Friday. However, the Federal Ministry of Health had previously pointed out that the requirements for e-prescriptions would already be in place from January 1, 2024 and that the obligation would apply from then on. The relevant legislation has already existed for two years.
Digital prescriptions part of the laws for e-medical records
The adoption of the law in the Bundestag is also intended to push forward the electronic patient file. According to the plans of Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), all those with statutory health insurance should receive e-patient files at the beginning of next year, unless this is expressly rejected.
To achieve this, previously scattered data from previous treatments will be brought together in a central system. This is intended to enable doctors to provide better treatments and avoid multiple examinations and unwanted drug interactions. This should also make it easier for patients to access their data. Research using health data should also advance.
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According to the head of the Techniker Krankenkasse, Jens Baas, the legal plans set the course for “digital solutions to really reach people and offer them a noticeable benefit.” Now we need quick implementation. “The electronic patient file will only be a success and a natural part of a doctor’s visit if all important data is stored there,” said Baas.
Due to a new legal regulation, the number of electronic prescriptions issued almost quadrupled at the beginning of the year. Since then, patients have redeemed a total of almost 36 million e-prescriptions, as the mostly federally owned digital agency Gematik announced in response to a request from the dpa news agency. In December there were still 8.8 million. A total of 54.5 million e-prescriptions had been redeemed as of February 1st.
Since January 1st, all practices have been required to issue prescriptions electronically as standard. Instead of the usual pink slips, they can be redeemed in three ways: by inserting the health insurance company’s electronic health card into a device at the pharmacy, using a special e-prescription app or with a printed QR code on paper.