Third generation electronic pharmacy communications. Recommendations based on ten years' experience

The number of electronic prescriptions in Denmark is increasing and almost 600,000 electronic prescriptions are now sent every month. There is therefore a strong interest in directly reusing the data entered in the medical practitioner systems in the pharmacy systems. It has therefore been decided to introduce a shared data foundation in all medical practitioner and pharmacy systems in Denmark in conjunction with the introduction of the new MEDPRE electronic prescription standard. Parallel to the standardisation work, concrete guidelines have been prepared for the individual EDP (Electronic Data Processing) systems to ensure rapid, problem-free prescription communication. The aim in the longer term is for 95% of all EDIFACT prescriptions to reach the receiving pharmacy no more than 20 minutes after being sent from a medical practice.