Electronic prescription and e-prescription: are they different?

An electronic prescription is a term that is often used interchangeably with the term e-prescription, which raises doubts among patients. In practice, both terms refer to the same solution functioning within the Polish healthcare system, and their meaning, scope, and safety have been widely described in scientific studies on the digitization of medicine.

• An electronic prescription and e-prescription mean the same medical document.
• The prescription operates within the central e-health system.
• It has full legal force and is accepted at every pharmacy.
• Research confirms a high level of data security.

See also: E-prescription for reimbursed medications – how does it work?

What is an electronic prescription?

An electronic prescription is a digital form of a medical prescription issued and stored in the central health information system. It has replaced paper forms and currently constitutes the only valid form of medication prescription in Poland.

Research published in the “Journal of Medical Internet Research” indicates that the introduction of electronic prescriptions has significantly reduced the number of formal errors, improved the readability of recommendations, and streamlined the process of medication fulfillment. The document does not function as a PDF file handed to the patient, but as a record in the information system.

The term “electronic prescription” is descriptive and refers to the form of the document, not to a separate type of service.

What is an e-prescription and how does it work?

An e-prescription is the official, system name for the electronic prescription functioning within the state e-health system. It is issued by a doctor and automatically recorded in the central database, where it becomes accessible to the patient and the pharmacy.

According to analyses published in “The Lancet Digital Health”, e-prescriptions improve the continuity of treatment and enable better control of pharmacotherapy. Each prescription is uniquely assigned to the patient’s data, which reduces the risk of abuse.

In practice, the term e-prescription is simply a shorthand that has become established in everyday and official language.

Are electronic prescriptions and e-prescriptions the same?

Yes – an electronic prescription and an e-prescription do not differ in legal or technical terms. Systematic studies clearly indicate that both terms refer to the same IT solution functioning in healthcare.

The difference is purely linguistic:

• “Electronic prescription” is the full, descriptive name.
• “E-prescription” is the shortened form of the same concept.

There is no other, alternative type of electronic prescription operating outside the state system.

What role does the e-Health system and P1 play?

The e-prescription operates within the national e-health system, the key element of which is the P1 System. It is responsible for storing and exchanging data between doctors, patients, and pharmacies.

This system has been developed, among others, by CSIOZ and remains under the supervision of public institutions. European studies show that the centralization of prescription data significantly improves security and allows for better oversight of medication reimbursement by the NFZ.

For the patient, this means uniform rules for fulfilling prescriptions throughout the country.

How does a patient use an e-prescription?

The patient gains access to the e-prescription through the Internet Patient Account or in the form of a code that can be sent via SMS or email. However, it is not a separate document, but merely a way to identify the prescription recorded in the system.

Studies on the usability of e-health systems indicate that such a model increases the patient’s control over treatment and reduces the risk of losing documentation. The prescription can be fulfilled at any pharmacy, regardless of where it was issued.

The form of consultation – in-person or remote – does not affect the validity of the prescription.

Data security in e-prescriptions

One of the key aspects of e-prescriptions is the security of medical data. Publications in the “European Journal of Public Health” confirm that central e-health systems, based on data encryption and multi-level authorization, effectively protect sensitive information.

Access to data is granted only to authorized entities, and every operation in the system is recorded. The electronic form of the prescription thus increases security compared to paper documents.

Q&A – frequently asked questions about electronic prescriptions

Are electronic prescriptions and e-prescriptions two different documents?
No, they are two terms for the same solution.

Can an e-prescription be in PDF format?
No, the prescription is a record in the system, not a downloadable file.

Does every pharmacy fulfill e-prescriptions?
Yes, e-prescriptions are accepted at every pharmacy in Poland.

Sources

• Journal of Medical Internet Research – digitization of prescriptions and data security.
• The Lancet Digital Health – e-health systems and their effectiveness.
• European Journal of Public Health – protection of medical data.
• Reports from EU institutions regardinge-health systems