Note - This reply may not crosspost to all newsgroups in the original
post...

Quote from post...

"...One reason for this mess is that 95%% of prescriptions are transmitted
using 5,000-year-old technology: pen and paper..."

...And what are the 'error' percentages of both types of technology?

What types of 'errors' are there in both systems? Poor handwriting may
cause errors, but so too can poor typing - 'spell checker errors' may result
in the prescription of another pharmaceutical entirely, or in the amounts of
drug prescribed in each pill (have you heard the joke about the man
prescribed enough laxative to cover a 'sixpence', but took enough laxative
to cover 6 individual pennies instead?). .

Are 'paper prescriptions' ANY safer if the Doctor 'checks' the proposed
medicine against say, a paper copy of the 'Merck Manual' (or similar
reference), as opposed to NOT 'checking' at all?

Which leads me to the question, How many 'mis-prescriptions' WERE NOT
'pre-checked' by the prescribing Doctor?

"...The deaths and inefficiencies of paper prescriptions can be nearly
entirely eliminated if we use the same technology we that use in other
aspects of our lives. Electronic prescriptions can replace handwritten,
misread and mismatched prescriptions with online, automated and expert
technology..."

...And how safe will electronic prescriptions be against software 'bugs'
(including 'spell checker' mistakes), power outages, 'national network'
disruptions caused by quake, fire, flood, Terrorist Attack, viruses, hackers
('key-log' Doctor's electronic ID in order to 'prescribe' drugs to order, or
else 'adjust' the system to prescribe 'mentholated muscle liniment' like
'Dencorub' or 'Deep Heat', as suitable substitute to 'Preparation H'
haemorrhoid cream), etc, etc.

"...When a doctor "writes" an electronic prescription, a computer can warn
of potentially dangerous interactions with other medications or allergies
and thereby prevent thousands of unnecessary hospitalizations each year..."

What about having to prescribe without the help of the afore-mentioned
computer program because it ISN'T WORKING, and the patient/s need their meds
NOW? ('Katrina' situation...)

While a CD-Rom, or a 'non-integrated' computer reference (that is,
'physically and electronically independent'), or an on-line reference MAY
provide a better safety net, (the on-line reference would provide the most
up-to-date information) BOTH have extra susceptibilities as detailed above
that may make them USELESS in a disaster situation ('Katrina', etc). In
which case, that 'paper copy' of the Merck Manual (or similar) along with
'due diligence' on the part of the prescribing Doctor may be the difference
between 'Life and Death'...

Rest of article seems to indicate that someone thinks they have a 'good
idea' and now wants everyone else to adopt it, even if such adoption must be
implemented by force and/or fines. However, as I've pointed out above,
there are obvious flaws, and if Doctors are 'forced' onto the new system,
who takes responsibility for any 'unforeseen bugs' in the new system?

...Then again, how LONG would it take for 'contra-indications' to show up on
the on-line version reference once the data becomes known in the 'Real
World'? Pardon my cynicism, but how long did it take for 'smoking
cigarettes' to be proven dangerous? And need I mention Thalidomide (Google
search for full details)?

Quotes from ONE 'Official' Thalidomide website...
http://www.fda.gov/cder/news/thalidomide.htm

"...Do not take this drug if there is any possibility that you are, or may
become, pregnant. Just one dose can cause severe birth defects..."

"...Thalidomide (tha-lid-o-mide) was first marketed in Europe in the late
1950's. It was used as a sleeping pill and to treat morning sickness during
pregnancy. At that time no one knew thalidomide caused birth defects..."

"...In 1961 scientists discovered that the medication stunted the growth of
fetal arms and legs..."

Quote from Wikipedia...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalidomide

"...It was sold from 1957 to 1961 in almost 50 countries under at least 40
names, including Distaval, Talimol, Nibrol, Sedimide, Quietoplex, Contergan,
Neurosedyn, and Softenon..."

That's what, FOUR years of Thalidomide being prescribed before
'contra-indications' became publicly known?

Then there are all the 'different' names used Internationally for what is,
essentially the same pharmaceutical. Not a problem to countries with a
'properly documented' electronic database that lists EVERYTHING, but a
potential problem to international travellers in a country WITHOUT the
electronic safety net, especially if they choose (or can only have)
'generic' medicines over 'known name brand' medicines...

A thought... If prescribed ANY drug or medicine, ask the Doctor for an
'information sheet' on the product, and have them go through it with you,
BEFORE taking the medicine. Pharmacists may include info sheets with the
product as a matter of course (even if not required to by law), and you
should read the info sheets, and ask your Doctor/Pharmacist any questions
BEFORE taking the medicine.

Don't get me wrong - the computer program 'sounds good' in theory, but in
practice you'd need a reliable 'back-up' for it. I'd recommend having BOTH
'paper' manuals (printed on plastic paper) AND a CD-Rom on a separate
(physically isolated) computer, IN ADDITION to any 'nationally networked'
system.

Hope this helps...