digitalization
Lauterbach wants speed and simpler solutions for e-prescriptions
From Thursday, patients can redeem e-prescriptions in 10,000 pharmacies throughout Germany. photo
© Mohssen Assanimoghaddam/dpa
What should actually be possible at the beginning of the year is now entering the test phase: the e-prescription. Once again, the data protection of the digitization throws a spanner in the works.
Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach is pushing for speed with a broad introduction of electronic prescriptions and also wants to open up even simpler ways for this. “We have to roll this out quickly now,” said the SPD politician on Friday in Berlin.
He advocated that digital prescription codes can be sent not only via a special app for smartphones or as a paper printout, but also by e-mail or normal SMS. Among other things, data protection issues are being discussed in order to find a solution. The panel doctors demanded clarifications for practical problems.
Acceptance of e-prescriptions at 10,000 pharmacies possible
After a test phase, a gradual start of the e-prescription is to start this Thursday – initially at practices and clinics in the Westphalia-Lippe region and at dentists in Schleswig-Holstein. In addition, pharmacies nationwide should accept e-prescriptions, around 10,000 of the 18,000 pharmacies reported that they were ready to go, according to the association. For other practices in Schleswig-Holstein, the local Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians had declared a withdrawal after the transmission by e-mail and SMS had been prohibited under data protection law. A nationwide launch of e-prescriptions was originally planned for the beginning of the year.
Instead of the usual pink slip, patients receive a code on their smartphone to pick up medication from pharmacies. If you don’t have a smartphone or the special app, you can get the code printed out on paper for the time being. From 2023, it should also be possible to redeem e-prescriptions with the electronic health card. Lauterbach made it clear that he also aims to do the same for the normal electronic health card that all insured persons have – and not just for a more modern version of the card with special technology.
Nationwide start maybe as early as 2023
With a view to a start date for the widespread use of e-prescriptions, the minister referred to the simpler solutions that are now planned. “If everything works out, I think we’ll be on the right track next year.” Lauterbach found out about the use of e-prescriptions in a doctor’s office in Berlin.
The head of the mostly state-owned Gematik company for digital projects, Markus Leyck Dieken, explained that structured observations should now be made on the introduction in the two model regions. However, every practitioner in Germany with the appropriate software is already invited to gain experience. E-prescriptions, which have long been established in 18 European countries, will soon be perceived as a normal part of the daily service.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) called for solutions to problems. “We are still miles away from smooth functioning,” said CEO Andreas Gassen. According to the KBV, the biggest point of criticism is that the issue, including the electronic signature, takes too long. Since the e-prescription currently has to be printed out, many doctors are questioning the point of digitization, which produces more paper than before.
General Practitioners Association criticizes slow introduction
The chairman of the General Practitioners’ Association, Ulrich Weigeldt, told the “Rheinische Post” (Friday): “With the best will in the world, it is incomprehensible why something that has worked in other European countries for years without any problems and in compliance with data protection is apparently an impossibility in Germany .”
The e-prescription is intended to be a building block for the greater digitization of the healthcare system that has been aspired to for years. After a long tug of war, there should also be more impetus for electronic patient files. They were launched in 2021 as a voluntary offer for the 73 million people with statutory health insurance and are to be given more and more functions. The coalition is striving for the principle of “opt out” to be used – i.e. that you have to actively object and not actively consent.
The Barmer Krankenkasse also promoted more video consultation hours and criticized the current restrictions. “Video consultation hours have proven their worth, especially in the corona pandemic,” said CEO Christoph Straub of the German Press Agency. They were a building block that ensured that care remained stable, could be integrated more flexibly into appointment calendars and saved patients and doctors long journeys, especially in rural areas. The fact that video appointments have been limited to 30 percent of practice capacity since April after an unlimited offer in the pandemic has been building barriers.
Communication from the Schleswig-Holstein Health Ministry Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians on the e-prescription Pharmacy Association ABDA on the introduction of the e-prescription National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists on the introduction of the e-prescription