ePrescribing Frequently Asked Questions

***All features not currently available on all dispense systems and apps***

***App customers must be updated to current version 5.13 to access e-Scripts***

1. What dispense systems are currently integrated with e-prescribing via PlusOne by MedAdvisor?

Currently, a solution for the below dispense systems exist if the pharmacy has updated PlusOne and their dispense software.

This will be updated with changes as they occur.

2. Can pharmacies outside of Communities of Interest (COI) dispense an electronic prescription?

Yes, if a pharmacy outside of the E-script Communities of Interest receives an e-script they need to contact their dispense vendor to upgrade their software to support e-scripts, if this hasn't occurred already.

3. What strategies do you suggest for managing workflow with ePrescriptions?

***All features not currently available on all dispense systems and apps***

The MedAdvisor solution for managing e-prescriptions fits a variety of workflows. For example: if the pharmacy is still primarily dispensing paper scripts and using a basket queuing workflow, the e-script token can be printed from PlusOne and added to a basket, hence fitting in seamlessly with the traditional workflow of pharmacies.

If the pharmacy is using a queuing platform such as MedView Flow, PlusOne can transmit the token into MedView flow to be queued. Alternatively, PlusOne can send the token directly into dispense, or the pharmacist can copy and paste the token directly into dispense from PlusOne.

Further tips and advice regarding workflow and ePrescriptions is available in our first e-prescribing webinar and a recording can be viewed here

4. Is there a cost associated with accessing e-script functionality via MedAdvisor?

No, e-script functionality is included in the standard MedAdvisor subscription fee. If repeat tokens are sent via SMS there may be costs incurred, however if you use MedAdvisor, and send the new token to the app there is no associated cost.

5. Does a pharmacist need to be authorised to dispense e-scripts?

The individual pharmacists do not need to be identified by the system (ie using HPI-I) to dispense. 

6. Will all medications be available for ePrescribing? For example restricted medications including Schedule 8 drugs?

Changes to the national regulations allow for the prescribing of Schedule 8 drugs via electronic prescribing. Please refer to your local guidelines, as some states and territories may differ in their requirements.

7. How does the doctor hand write on a S8 script if they are sending a token?

The regulations in all states remove the requirement to hand write any directions for e-prescriptions. If an annotation is required (for instance, a warrant number with vitamin A analogues) this still needs to be entered in the script directions, but nothing needs to be hand written.

8. What about S8 prescriber signature requirements?

Electronic prescriptions do not require a signature, because of the requirements for the software to identify the prescriber through authentication protocols.

9. If a token is dispensed then cancelled, will the token still serve for new a dispensing?

Yes. A cancelled e-script is returned to the Prescription Exchange Service.

10. Can staged supply arrangements be facilitated using e-prescriptions?

Yes, there will be no change to the way this is currently managed when e-prescriptions are introduced. The prescriber can annotate tokens in the same way they would a paper script, so the instructions for staged supply would also come through with the token.

11. How do you reconcile owing scripts with electronic scripts?

This should be taken up with the dispense vendor. In most cases a new dispense will need to be made and owing will need to be cancelled or manually marked off.

12. Are both MediSecure and eRX token supported?

No, currently eRX tokens are supported. MediSecure tokens are not supported, however this will be resolved in the future. 

13. Do prescribers need to individually register themselves for ePrescribing?

The conformance profile for prescribing software requires that the prescriber can be identified correctly, to prevent fraudulent scripts etc. If the individual doctor has not been correctly certified by their surgery to use their software, they will not be able to prescribe with an e-prescription. The prescriber would need to speak to their software vendor to know how this impacts them.

14. Will the prescriber be able to send an electronic prescription directly to the pharmacy on behalf of the patient? Ie Nursing home or DAA patients?

Electronic Prescribing will continue to support a patient’s right to choose the pharmacy to supply their medicines. As such, the ePrescription will be sent to the patient, who will then be able to present or transmit it to their pharmacy of choice. The exception to this is where a choice of dispenser is made before prescribing, such as during the admission to a residential care or hospital facility.

15. If a customer has a paper prescription, can they request the pharmacist to convert it to an e-script?

No, a prescriber can issue a medication as a paper script, or an e-script but not both, and pharmacies are unable to change the form of a prescription. If a patient wants their paper prescription re-issued as a token, the prescriber will need to issue a new script.

16. Can a patient use a token multiple times? For example if they have the token printed on a piece of paper, can they take a photo of that and send to one pharmacy, whilst presenting the paper to another pharmacy?

No, a token is only valid for one dispensing, irrespective of how many pharmacies it is sent to. This is because when a pharmacy scans a token the information in that token is downloaded from a central database and verifies whether it is valid or not. Therefore, if it has already been dispensed, or cancelled by the prescriber, it will not be able to be dispensed anywhere else.

17. What happens if a patient no longer wants their medication after the token has already been dispensed?

The prescription would need to be cancelled and a new token issued.

18. Can a patient using MedAdvisor present their token to a pharmacy other than their selected "favourite pharmacy"? For example,whilst on holidays? Yes, the patient can present their token anywhere. They are able to view the QR code from the app home screen or can change their favourite pharmacy to transmit it elsewhere.

19. Will patients still be able to obtain paper scripts if they're not comfortable with ePrescriptions?

Yes, patients still have the choice of a paper script if they would prefer. Electronic prescriptions and paper prescriptions will co-exist, and patients will have the choice of either.

20. If patients are already signed up to SMS reminders, how do you convert them to App patients?

In Manage Customers (in PlusOne by MedAdvisor) if you select the patient who is on SMS reminders, and click "app" they will get the app download link. That link is a smart link which is specific to their profile, so once they create their password and log in to the app, all their relevant medication information will download and pre-fill (within 24 hours).

Click the following link for more: https://support.medadvisor.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/360040953514-How-To-Move-a-Patient-from-SMS-to-the-MedAdvisor-App

21. Can a patient adjust their ‘days supply remaining’ if they need to? Yes, a patient can still update the days supply remaining in the app and web portal. Pharmacists are also able to update the days supply in the Manage Customers section of PlusOne by MedAdvisor.

Click the following link for more: https://support.medadvisor.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/360016073793-Changing-the-days-supply-for-a-script

22. Can a patient sign-up to the MedAdvisor app if they don't want to leave their scripts on file at the pharmacy?

There are many features and benefits of the MedAdvisor app that patients can use even if they don't leave their scripts on file and it will also ensure they are connected to your pharmacy and ready for e-prescribing. We recommend that you let them know that if they don't leave their scripts on file there will still be a short wait when they come to collect their medications as you'll need the paper prescription to finalise their order. Other benefits to the patient for using the MedAdvisor app, besides ordering, are; to have oversight of their medication supply left and repeats remaining in one easy place, to set reminders to take their medication, to view pharmacy services completed, such as blood pressure readings and immunisations, to access medication information (CMI's) and more.

23. Do pharmacies need MedView Flow to use MedAdvisor for receiving tokens?

No, MedView Flow is not required to receive eScript tokens.

24. Can you view the original escript on MedAdvisor without Medview Flow ?

Certain elements of the e-script can be viewed, however mobile services don't have access to the full script information, so we recommend working with your dispense vendor or industry tools like
Medview Flow.

25. When will the Active Script List (ASL) be integrated with MedAdvisor?