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CMS-1403-FC
does not respond to the request sent to his or her
prescribing device, the prescription refill request is sent
or resent via computer-generated facsimile. Commenters
stated that the vast majority of computer-generated
facsimiles sent today from prescribers to pharmacies are
not electronic data interchange (EDI) transmissions, but
usually prescription refill requests sent from pharmacies
to prescribers who do not conduct true e-prescribing and,
in many cases, do not engage in any electronic transactions
at all. One national drug store chain estimates that it
produces approximately 150,000 computer-generated facsimile
prescription refill requests every day.
The workflow and process for filling prescriptions
would be significantly disrupted if these
computer-generated facsimile transmissions were prohibited.
Dispensers and other staff would be forced to revert back
to making phones calls or using a stand-alone facsimile
machine to contact prescribers each time a refill is
requested. Commenters indicated that not only would this
be counterproductive to the advances and efficiencies made
in pharmacy practice, it would impose an undue
administrative burden on dispensing pharmacies and
pharmacists.
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