SAFE-BioPharma asks DEA to continue to use government model for tracking e-prescriptions

FORT LEE, N.J. SAFE-BioPharma Association has recommended that the Drug Enforcement Agency’s practice of storing and reviewing public key infrastructure-based digital signatures is the most effective, safest, securest and more practical way to file, retrieve, review and manage controlled substance electronic prescriptions. SAFE-BioPharma’s officicial formal recommendation was posted during a review period for the new Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances proposed result, docket no. DEA-218.

SAFE-BioPharma’s recommendation said, “The FBCA is a widely available and supported system, and it provides a level of security, non-repudiability, interoperability and auditability required by legislation covering prescribing of controlled substances. Such a system would provide strong evidence that the original prescription was signed by a DEA-registered practitioner, that it was not altered after being signed and transmitted, and that it was not altered after received by the pharmacist.”

The association also has recommended that the DEA continue to use the infrastructure that the federal government has put in place under the Federal Bridge Certification Authority, which works as a framework for the DEA to review and manage controlled substances e-prescribing files.

In addition, SAFE-BioPharma  recommended that healthcare professionals only use one digital identity that can tracked in all e-prescription activities, used for authentication to healthcare networks, used as a login to access health records and order diagnostic tests, and any electronic prescription management in other forms.

SAFE-BioPharma is a non-profit association that has created and continues to maintain the SAFE-BioPharma digital ID and signature standard for the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.