Under the FDA’s rules for e-prescribing, pain physicians who want to prescribe medications electronically must first conduct “identity proofing” before obtaining two necessary credentials to sign the e-prescriptions, which are used in two-factor authentication protocol. Only after these steps have been completed can pain physicians sign e-prescriptions. In addition, physicians must have access controls in place and also ensure pharmacies have the appropriate software in place to process e-prescriptions, according to the news report. Between the software installations and security requirements, these processes can be costly to maintain.
Moreover, the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for controlled substances can also force physicians to spend time going through the REMS program that would otherwise be spent in delivering care. REMS, which requires patients to be enrolled in a drug registry, includes physicians’ review of prescribing information and educational content, provider knowledge assessment completion and other steps. The American Academy of Pain Medicine is urging the FDA to adopt state-based prescription drug-monitoring programs over REMS, which could help avoid the unintended consequences yielded through REMS.
Read the news report about e-prescribing and REMS.
Read other coverage about pain management:
– Improvements in Pain Intensity, Relief and Physical Function Impact Treatment Satisfaction
– Pre-Injury Fear Contributes to Immediate Pain Intensity
– 36 Pain Descriptors Can Be Used to Efficiently Describe Pain