MASSACHUSETTS HONORED AS TOP STATE FOR E-PRESCRIBING

During a conference focusing on the progress being madeto convert from the current paper-based prescription systemto electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), officials of theNational Association of Chain Drug Stores and the NationalCommunity Pharmacists Association recognized Massachusetts'efforts in this area by presenting the state withtheir annual Safe Rx Award.

In addition to reducing the potential for medication errors,"e-prescribing... has been proven to offer significant time savingsby eliminating the need for phone calls and faxes, allowing prescribers and theirstaffs more time to care for their patients," according to a spokesperson for the 2pharmacy groups.

Although Massachusetts topped the list of e-prescribing states, 9 others were recognizedfor their progress in implementing e-prescribing systems: Rhode Island,Nevada, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, andWashington.