Electronic prescription delivery system and method

Abstract

The invention is a computer-implemented method and apparatus that delivers information to a prescriber that is prescribing medication via an electronic prescription system, the information is delivered at the time of entering the prescription and prior to completion of entering the prescription information. The information delivered is responsive to information about the prescriber, the patient, and/or other relevant conditions from any or all of a number of sources. The information delivered to the prescriber may include drug interaction information, warnings, legally required statements, potential alternative medications, advertisements, coupons, etc. The data to which the specific information delivered to the prescriber is responsive may include prescriber information, such as the location, age, gender, medical specialty, practice size, geographic location etc, information about the patient, such as age, gender, insurance information, location, previous medical history, height, weight, etc. The data also may include information not specific to the prescriber or patient per se, such as local or national laws, current local weather, local allergen counts, etc. The data may be collected from various sources, including the prescriber's medical records database, insurance carrier databases, public information available over the internet or from other sources, purchased information such as subscription lists, weather, pollution, and allergy information, etc.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of electronically transmitting a customized message to a prescriber responsive to entry of prescription information into an electronic prescription system, the method comprising:
 receiving from a prescriber electronic prescription information pertaining to a prescription via a communication network, the electronic prescription information including at least a patient identity and the prescriber's identity;   parsing, using a digital processing apparatus, the electronic prescription information to extract at least one of the patient identity and the prescriber identity;   accessing electronic personal data about the at least one of the patient and the prescriber;   determining a particular message to be transmitted to the prescriber as a function of the electronic personal data;   transmitting the particular message to the prescriber via the communication network.   
     
     
         2 - 20 . (canceled)