Minnesota News: Scanning Prescription Orders into Computer Systems

April 1, 2007 11:37 am Topics: Electronic prescriptions

Reprinted from the April 2007 Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Newsletter.

Some pharmacies use systems that allow prescription orders to be scanned into computer systems. The scanned image is then used to process the prescription and to verify its validity. Pharmacists are reminded that the use of such systems requires Board approval of a variance to Minnesota Rules 6800.3000, subpart 2. That rule requires that verification of the validity and propriety of a prescription must be of the original prescription. A copy that is rewritten or electronically produced is not acceptable under most circumstances. The Board usually approves variances to this rule, but a pharmacy cannot use such a system before obtaining that approval.