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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances

    Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances (EPCS) is a prescriber's ability to electronically send an accurate, error-free, and understandable Schedule II-V controlled substance prescription directly to a pharmacy from the point of care. It is an important element in improving the quality of patient care, and in order to help combat the current drug epidemic, health care clinicians need up-to-date tools and technology that support appropriate prescribing of controlled substances. EPCS has the potential to minimize medication errors for patients and reduce prescription forgery, diversion, and theft in Pennsylvania.

    Per Act 96 of 2018 (the Act), practitioners, excluding veterinarians, are required to issue electronic prescriptions for Schedule II-V controlled substances as of October 24, 2019. The Department of Health is currently in the process of promulgating EPCS regulations in accordance with the Act. For more information, please email  RA-DHEPCS@pa.gov.

    Notifications

    The following communications have be released to share important information about e-prescribing:

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Temporary Exemption

    While the department works to promulgate regulations, it is accepting petitions for temporary exemptions from the requirements in Act 96. These temporary exemptions are subject to approval by the Department and are preliminary in nature, pending final publishing of regulations as stated in Section 11(b.6) of the Act. To submit a petition for temporary exemption, please fill out the  Act 96 of 2018 Temporary Exemption Form.

    Contact Information

     Please call with any additional questions at 844-377-7367 on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST, or by emailing us at RA-DHEPCS@pa.gov.

    EPCS
    Pennsylvania Department of Health
    Health & Human Services Building
    625 Forster St., 6th Floor
    Harrisburg, PA 17120