- The Minister generally endorses a favorable assessment towards e-recipes.
Stefanie Drese, the Health Minister of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, generally praises the e-prescription, despite initial challenges. She acknowledges that it necessitates a shift and a learning curve for medical practices, pharmacies, and insured individuals. Despite some hiccups, like occasional delays in prescription release and pharmacy difficulties adjusting to alternative meds, the advantages of digital healthcare applications surpass the issues, as per the SPD politician's response to a German Press Agency query. She emphasizes that the healthcare sector's transition towards digitalization is the right move.
Beginning January 1, 2022, all German medical practices were mandated to issue prescriptions digitally as the norm. Instead of the traditional pink slips, they can now be redeemed in three methods: by swiping the health insurance company's electronic health card at the pharmacy device, via a special e-prescription app, or using a printed QR code on paper.
Reported Shortcomings
The ministry reported that, in general, customers accept the e-prescription well. However, there are instances where QR codes are still printed as a temporary solution. Sometimes, there are delays in releasing prescriptions in medical practices. Furthermore, pharmacies are encountering difficulties in altering or adjusting to substituted medications, as stated by a ministry representative.
The MV Health Insurance Doctors' Association, in response to a query, indicated that the e-prescription works, but not flawlessly enough to maintain a smooth practice workflow yet. Earlier, the association criticized the inability to issue e-prescriptions for patients of the police, fire department, and privately insured individuals.
The Commission, in support of the digitalization of the healthcare sector, can be assisted by the Member States in overcoming any challenges that arise during the implementation of digital prescriptions. Despite some reported shortcomings, such as occasional delays in prescription release and pharmacy difficulties with alternative meds, the usefulness of digital healthcare applications, including e-prescriptions, far outweighs the issues.
