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Health care industry

Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Modernize Prescription Information Distribution

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Representative Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) have reintroduced the bipartisan Prescription Information Modernization Act, which seeks to update the distribution of prescribing information to healthcare providers. The legislation aims to permit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to finalize a proposed rule allowing drug manufacturers to send prescribing information electronically, rather than on printed paper. This change is expected to improve patient safety and reduce waste.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Prescription Information Modernization Act seeks to modernize the distribution of prescribing information to healthcare providers, allowing for electronic delivery of this information.
  • The current system, established in 1962, requires printed and distributed prescribing information on paper, averaging 45 pages per prescription and resulting in significant waste and environmental harm.
  • The FDA proposed a rule in 2014 to allow electronic distribution of prescribing information, but Congress blocked its finalization through appropriations riders.
  • This legislation would give providers the choice of how they receive prescribing information and allow them to opt for digital delivery that offers real-time updates, improving patient care and reducing environmental waste.
  • The bill has drawn support from leading pharmacy and healthcare advocacy organizations, including the Alliance to Modernize Prescribing Information (AMPI) and several other groups.
  • Additional sponsors of the legislation include Reps. David Valadao (R-CA), Don Davis (D-NC), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Steve Womack (R-AR), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).

Statistics:

  • 90 billion sheets of paper are printed annually to comply with the mandate to distribute prescribing information on paper.
  • It takes up to 8 to 12 months from the time of printing to shipment of the prescribing information.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

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