Electronic prescriptions in Sweden: the success story continues
Karina Tellinger describes how an ever-increasing number of Swedes
today no longer use paper prescriptions and looks to a future where patients
can play a full role in the management of their medication.
ABSTRACT
The main drive to transfer prescriptions electronically on a national
basis in Sweden began in 2000. Swedish healthcare is provided through the 21
county councils that make up the country’s administration, so the delivery
of eprescriptions is a joint effort between each county council and Apoteket,
Sweden’s national pharmacy.
Currently 42% of all prescriptions in Sweden are transferred from the
doctor to the chemist electronically and the number is rising every day. The
system has been very well received by all concerned, especially the
patients. New legislation now means that the current system can evolve over
the next few years into a full record of all medication for every patient by
means of a medication account, similar to a bank account, which the patient
will own and healthcare professionals will share.
Br J Healthcare Comput Info Manage 2005; 22(10): 22–4 |
