Electronic prescriptions are slowly spreading in the European Union.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether the adoption of electronic prescriptions (e-prescriptions) had increased in the 27 member countries of the European Union (EU) in the beginning of this decade. Our previous study in 2002 concerning the old union with 15 countries had discovered that e-prescriptions were rare in daily practice and that there was only slight interest for their future use. Since the internal market with free movement of people, goods, services, and capital is a central issue in the Union, we took a cross-border view of the use of the e-prescriptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A semiopen questionnaire on the use of e-prescriptions, chosen systems, the process itself, investments, and the acceptance of non-national European prescriptions was e-mailed to community pharmacy associations of the 27 EU member countries that were members of or otherwise identified by the Pharmaceutical Group of the EU. RESULTS: Five countries were using e-prescriptions as a part of their daily practice, but only Denmark and Sweden reported nationwide use. These countries were the same that used e-prescriptions nationally already in 2002. Pilots presented in 2002 had not yet advanced into daily practice. Some new pilots/projects were prepared in the old and new member countries. E-prescription models and systems used were divergent between the countries and sometimes even within a country. CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide use of e-prescriptions was not more common than in 2002. Several countries had piloted or were piloting projects on e-prescriptions. Interoperability of different systems is a challenge to which EU-funded projects might offer a solution.

A European survey on the possibilities and obstacles of electronic prescriptions in cross-border healthcare.

This study investigated the possibilities and obstacles for cross-border electronic prescriptions within the European internal market. Cross-border electronic prescribing requires interoperability of the systems and use of standardized solutions. We conducted a survey-based case study. A questionnaire on the use of electronic prescriptions was sent by e-mail to the delegates from 14 European Union (EU) member countries and 2 European Economic Area (EEA) countries during spring-summer 2003. A reply was received from 11 delegates in 11 countries contacted. Currently electronic prescriptions are in everyday use in only a few EU member countries, while many others are running or considering pilot projects. We found that electronic prescribing across national borders is impeded by many obstacles, which may relate to other systems or to lack of standardization. Information technology is likely to gradually spread to prescribing in Europe. Before more countries will integrate electronic prescribing into national healthcare, it would be important to ensure interoperability and common standards between national systems. Only then can electronic prescribing offer its full potential, and cross-border electronic prescribing can be realized at the EU level.

Increased personal medication use among Finnish physicians from 1986 to 1997.

This study was based on a nationwide survey of 2671 Finnish physicians in 1986 and 3313 in 1997. The results showed that the proportion of physicians who often or regularly reported using any medication increased significantly from 1986 to 1997 (men 27.8% versus 44.3%, P = 0.001; women 28.8% versus 48.6%, P = 0.001). Among the general practitioners working in the public sector, the increase was from 31.2% to 49.3%. Gastrointestinal diseases (74%), asthma (63%) and mental disorders (62%) were the most commonly self-medicated conditions in 1997.

Telemedicine--contribution of ICT to health.

ICT opens new possibilities to health care and practice of medicine, but carries some inherent risks as well. Based on a study conducted by the CPME representing European doctors current telemedical practices and difficulties encountered by doctors are reported and next important steps are proposed. An European e-Health Highway should be built and obligatory standards for it and for all software used in the health care should be urgently fixed. The medical profession should take care of practical guidelines for doctors, and authorities should agree on international collaboration to supervise the practice of medicine over the net. Telemedicine should be a normal part of the national healthcare systems, and telemedical services should be reimbursed as any other medical services.