Who is Qualified to E-Prescribe?

Question:

Hello Jennifer,

Do you know anything about the rules about who is qualified to do the e‐prescribing through our EMR system? I heard something that said any e‐prescribers have to be licensed or certified. Please confirm if they do need to be certified, and if so, what type of certification is needed. We have medical assistants on staff that have certifications from school, but not specific to e‐prescribing. I would like some clarification on this issue. Thanks!

Dr. C

Answer provided by Jennifer Kirschenbaum, Esq.

Hi Dr. C,

For answers to your question, click on this link and see below: 

Q19: Can an agent or employee of the prescriber electronically sign an electronic prescription? 

A19: No. Practitioners are authorized to prescribe by virtue of his or her license to practice medicine or dentistry. Therefore, only the practitioner may review and sign the prescription.

Q20: Can an agent or employee of the prescriber transmit an electronic prescription to the pharmacy? 

A20: The signing and transmission of an electronic prescription are two distinct actions. Only the practitioner may review and electronically sign the prescription. Once signed, an agent or employee of the practitioner may transmit the prescription on behalf of the practitioner. The act of transmission must be independent of the review and signature process.

Q21: Can a physician assistant electronically prescribe controlled and non-controlled substances? 

A21: Yes. All electronic prescriptions issued and signed by a physician assistant must contain the name of their supervising physician.

Q22: Is the supervising physician’s name required on an electronic prescription issued by a physician assistant? 

A22: Yes, the supervising physician’s name is required on all prescriptions (controlled and non-controlled substances) issued by a physician assistant, including electronic prescriptions, handwritten official prescriptions, and official prescriptions generated on an EMR system.

Q23: Can a physician assistant register for EPCS if their supervising physician does not? 

A23: Yes. The supervising physician is not required to register for EPCS if they have no intention of electronically prescribing controlled substances. Note: Both the supervising physician and physician assistant must maintain active registrations for the Official Prescription Program.