Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances
Electronic Prescribing of
Controlled Substances (EPCS) is a prescriber's ability to electronically
send an accurate, error-free and understandable Schedule II-V
controlled substance prescriptions directly to a pharmacy from the
point-of-care. It is an important element in improving the quality of
patient care, and in order to help combat the current drug epidemic,
health care clinicians need up-to-date tools and technology that support
appropriate prescribing of controlled substances. EPCS has the
potential to minimize medication errors for patients, and reduce
prescription forgery, diversion, and theft in Pennsylvania.
Per Act 96 of 2018 (the
act), practitioners, excluding those with statutory exceptions, are required to issue electronic prescriptions for Schedule II-V controlled substances as of October 24, 2019. The Department of Health
is currently in the process of promulgating EPCS regulations in
accordance with the act. For more information, please email RA-DHEPCS@pa.gov.
Notifications
The following communications have be released to share important information about e-prescribing:
Frequently Asked Questions
Temporary Exemption
While
the department works to promulgate regulations, it is accepting
petitions for temporary exemptions from the requirements in Act 96.
These temporary exemptions are subject to approval by the department and
preliminary in nature, pending final publishing of regulations as
stated in Section 11(b.6) of the act. To submit a petition for temporary
exemption, please fill out the Act 96 of 2018 Temporary Exemption Form.
Contact Information