CMS on Wednesday released a final rule that establishes standards for electronic prescribing under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, CQ HealthBeat reports.

The rule establishes standards for the electronic transmission of information of the medications covered under the Medicare prescription drug plans of beneficiaries and the availability of generic versions of those treatments. The standards allow physicians and other health care providers, as well as pharmacies and Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors, to share information about medications taken by beneficiaries. In addition, the standards allow pharmacies to inform physicians and other providers when patients obtain their prescriptions. The rule does not require physicians, pharmacies and other providers to adopt e-prescribing to participate in Medicare.

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said, "Establishing standards for e-prescribing under Medicare's prescription drug program will help pave the way for widespread adoption of e-prescribing throughout the medical community," adding, "Broader use of e-prescribing offers beneficiaries safer and more efficient care at lower costs."

Supporters hope that the rule will lead to passage of a bill (S 2408) that would require physicians who participate in Medicare to adopt e-prescribing by 2011. Mark Merritt, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, said, "The time is now for e-prescribing in Medicare," adding, "Today will be remembered as a major step in the drive for health IT reform" (Carey, CQ HealthBeat, 4/2).