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Electronic transfer of prescriptions (eTP) Electronic transfer of prescriptions (eTP)

Working with health professionals

Over the coming months, NPS will be working to raise awareness of the electronic transfer of prescriptions (eTP). eTP is the secure exchange of prescription information between prescribing components of electronic health records and dispensing systems. It’s an important step towards an e-health-enabled healthcare system and improving medication management.

Ensuring that medicines information can be shared is the foundation for a range of healthcare benefits for both prescribers and consumers.

There are currently two eTP services available — eRx Script Exchange and MediSecure — which may improve coordinated care and streamline work flows for general practices and pharmacies. Both services work with some of the most commonly used prescribing software systems, but many prescribers may be unaware they have access to eTP or how to enable the function within their systems by turning it on or registering.

NPS has developed resources to provide GPs and pharmacists with more information about eTP. One is a FAQ, which answers many of the questions collected during a comprehensive stakeholder consultation. The other two are Installation Checklists for general practices and pharmacies who have made the decision to install eTP and need to know how to go about it.

What else is happening with eTP?

Over the past two years, the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) has developed draft eTP specifications. These specifications are currently being reviewed and further developed by Standards Australia, after which they will be ready to implement. Once they have been endorsed as an Australian Technical Specification (ATS), all compliant eTP systems will work towards having the same functionality. For example, systems may be able to:

  • securely transmit and store prescriptions using the same encryption process
  • have interoperable prescription exchange services (PES) (i.e. you can send with system X and receive with system Y)
  • create prescriptions with standardised data elements (where specified)
  • send appropriately configured and consented data to approved tools and databases at the same time as sending an encrypted prescription to the appropriate PES e.g. for medication list viewers showing medicines prescribed and dispensed.

For more information

Contact the e-Health Decision Support team.

Links

Date published: 2011-11-02 00:00:00

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

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