The New York State Department of Health has updated the NYS Public Health Law and are requiring mandatory electronic prescriptions effective March 27, 2016.  This means that as of March 27, 2016, doctors will no longer be giving patients a hand written prescription to bring to the pharmacy or phoning in prescriptions.  All prescriptions will be sent to the pharmacy directly from the physician via secure electronic transmission.

Electronic prescriptions will have several benefits for patients including improved patient safety and fewer medication errors as the patient will no longer be responsible for physically taking the prescription directly to the pharmacy. 

There are a few things patients will need to know before being prescribed medication at their next office visit.  Patients should:

• Have your pharmacy information available (name, address and phone number) along with a back-up pharmacy if your first choice is not available.

• Know the medications you are taking.

• Ask your prescriber what you are being prescribed and where the prescription was transmitted to before leaving the office.

The New York State Department of Health is requiring electronic prescriptions for both controlled and non-controlled substances so you will need this information no matter what type of prescription you are having filled.