The e-prescription has been on trial in the focus region of Berlin and Brandenburg since July 1 of this year, from being issued by doctors to being redeemed by patients in pharmacies.
After about two months of testing, the Deutsche Apotheker Zeitung (DAZ) has now tried to find out how often the electronic prescription, which is to replace the paper prescription as of January 2022, has been redeemed and how many doctors and pharmacies are involved. From October, the electronic prescription is to be used nationwide.
The interim balance of the DAZ turns out thereby sobering, because nobody wants to stand speech and answer. Pharmacy associations in Berlin and Brandenburg are at a loss for words, as are the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) and the mail order company, Shop-Apotheke. All point to gematik, which is apparently also keeping a low profile until the evaluation is complete. gematik justifies its reluctance with extensive tests that have yet to be evaluated and an increase in capacity to be prepared for nationwide expansion. No one knows at this time whether the schedule can be met.
The gematik explains only that first realizations were already won, adjustments were made and also changes to the adjustment need. Furthermore, gematik is apparently working at full speed on e-prescription improvements and testing of the entire system.
How many electronic prescriptions are in circulation so far and exactly how many physicians and pharmacies are participating is not clear. DAZ has also been unable to locate any pharmacies so far.
Some experts are concerned that the entire system will collapse and not be able to launch in time, similar to the near-failure of the GERDA e-prescription model in Baden-Württemberg about two years ago.