Griffo Calls For Delay on E-Prescriptions

UTICA – Sen. Joseph A. Griffo has asked the Department of Health to delay the implementation of a mandatory electronic prescribing method, which is due to start March 27. As a failsafe to protect providers and customers, Griffo has also co-sponsored legislation (S.2486) to accomplish the same goal.

“I support our state’s goal to reduce ‘doctor shopping’ and eliminate the incidence of overprescribing medicines,” Griffo wrote to Acting Health Commissioner Howard Zucker. “However, in talking with health care providers, it’s become clear that our state is not ready to implement this provision in an effective manner.”

Under the I-STOP legislation, nurse practitioners, midwives, dentists, podiatrists, physicians, physician assistants and optometrists will soon be required to issue prescriptions directly to the pharmacy by electronic means.

Griffo has talked to health care providers about the effectiveness of the new law and many noted the difficulties complying with this new provision.

Providers told the senator that they did not receive timely direction from the state Health Department regarding the new requirements. They added that the Department failed to give important information regarding which e-prescribing systems would satisfy the requirements, as well as the cost of purchasing them and maintaining them. And while the prescription applications must be certified by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, it’s the senator’s understanding that no company has yet met that requirement.

“This is a good law, but its effectiveness may become compromised by a flawed rollout,” said Griffo. “It’s important for patient safety, privacy and care that we get this right the first time. A one-year moratorium will help us ensure that the e-prescribing system is ready to serve New Yorks in an effective manner from Day One."