Telehealth Prescribing

Telehealth prescribing is the practice of evaluating patients through virtual consultations, whether by video, audio, or secure messaging, and issuing electronic prescriptions based on those remote encounters. This capability extends the reach of healthcare providers beyond physical clinic settings, enabling patients to receive prescriptions without an in-person visit, which is particularly valuable for follow-up care, chronic disease management, and patients in underserved or remote areas.

The regulatory landscape for telehealth prescribing has evolved significantly, particularly following expansions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regulations governing telehealth prescribing address several key areas: the types of provider-patient relationships that must be established before prescribing, which medications can be prescribed via telehealth (including restrictions on certain controlled substances), state licensing requirements for cross-border telehealth, and documentation standards for virtual encounters.

From a technology perspective, telehealth prescribing requires tight integration between the telehealth platform and the electronic prescribing system. During a virtual visit, the provider must be able to access the patient's medication history, perform clinical safety checks (drug interactions, allergies, contraindications), select and configure the prescription, apply a qualified electronic signature, and transmit the prescription to the patient's chosen pharmacy, all within the telehealth workflow.

Effective telehealth prescribing platforms maintain the same clinical safety standards as in-person prescribing, including real-time drug interaction checking, allergy screening, dosage verification, and formulary checks. Integration with pharmacy networks ensures that prescriptions issued during virtual visits are transmitted and fulfilled with the same reliability and speed as those originating from traditional clinical settings.