Electronic prescribing coming to Vermont

Senator Patrick Leahy has helped secure a million dollar federal grant to enable doctors in Vermont to prescribe drugs electronically. Most chain pharmacies are already set up to use it and neighborhood pharmacies will be as well. Leahy and Steve Larose of Vermont Information Technology Leaders agree that this could be an important step forward in patient safety. LaRose's group will provide access and training for pharmacists to use the AllScripts program. The organization hopes to have e-prescribing in place by 2012.