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The ePrescribing ecosystem

The ePrescribing ecosystem is a structured framework designed to securely manage and connect prescription data across healthcare providers, patients, and pharmacies. It consists of key elements working together to enable safe and efficient digital prescription handling. Below, we provide a detailed breakdown of the ecosystem, its components, and the roles of the operators and stakeholders involved.

Key components of the ePrescribing Ecosystem

National Prescription Delivery Service (NPDS)

The NPDS serves as the backbone of the ecosystem, enabling the secure transmission of prescription information between healthcare providers, pharmacies, and approved systems

Mobile Intermediary (MI)

The MI acts as a bridge that connects only Mobile Apps (MAs) to the ecosystem. It ensures that Mobile Apps can interact securely and compliantly with the NPDS and Active Script List (ASL) via Medication Knowledge.

Mobile App (MA)

These are patient-facing platforms, such as consumer apps, websites or healthcare portals, that serve as the interface for individuals to view their prescriptions and manage their medication. MAs depend on a conformant MI to access the NPDS and ASL.

Prescribing Systems

Software used by healthcare professionals to create and submit electronic prescriptions into the ecosystem.

Dispensing Systems

Pharmacy systems used to access and fulfil prescriptions retrieved from the NPDS or ASL, ensuring accurate dispensing.

Active Script List (ASL)

A centralised repository containing a patient's active prescriptions. Authorised parties can securely access and retrieve information from the ASL to ensure continuity of care and medication management

The Role of Mobile Intermediary (MI) and Mobile App (MA)

If you have a product that you want to connect to the NPDS to retrieve eScript information, your product is classified as a MA. You’ll need both an MA and an MI to connect to it, and both must be conformant. Oexa assists by taking care of the MI part, so you only need to focus on your MA. That means you can concentrate on creating a great customer experience while relying on Oexa’s technical expertise.

Mobile Intermediary (MI)

The MI is a vital connector in the ePrescribing ecosystem for third-party mobile apps. It facilitates secure script data exchange between approved Mobile Apps (MAs) and national systems like the NPDS and ASL. The only way for a third-party consumer app can connect to the NPDS is via a mobile intermediary.

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Oexa's Managed Intermediary is a conformant Mobile Intermediary (MI).

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Key responsibilities of an MI include:

  • Ensuring compliance with ecosystem protocols

  • Acting as a conduit for data exchange between Mobile Apps and central repositories like the NPDS and ASL

Mobile App (MA)

Mobile Apps (this includes websites, web apps, and patient portals) are the patient-accessible interfaces of the ePrescribing ecosystem and play a significant role in empowering individuals or carers to manage their prescriptions.

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These applications:

  • Allow patients or subjects of care to review and manage their scripts.

  • Present an electronic prescription token to a pharmacy to enable dispensing.

  • Use a Mobile Intermediary system to connect with the NPDS and/or Active Script List Registry (ASLR).

 

An example of a Mobile App in this category is Scripty, a consumer-facing application that integrates with Oexa's Mobile Intermediary.

Development considerations for Mobile Apps

Developing both a Mobile App and Mobile Intermediary:

If you are building both a Mobile App and the Mobile Intermediary it connects to, follow the procedures outlined in the "Electronic prescribing conformance process – mobile intermediary system and Electronic prescribing conformance process - mobile apps." You would liaise directly with eRx, and your products would go through the conformance process with eRx, followed by ADHA. Keep in mind that eRx provides technical support and will assess your product based on the requirements. Their role does not include guidance on interpreting the conformance requirements.

  • Technical support questions go to eRx.

  • Questions on the requirements go to ADHA.

Developing a Mobile App only:

If you are developing a Mobile App and intend to use Oexa's Mobile Intermediary system, you’ll follow the "Electronic prescribing conformance process - mobile apps." 

 

Since Oexa's MI is conformant, we assess your product directly. You deal directly with us for the conformance process.

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Oexa offers consulting services to provide you with expertise and support on the conformance requirements. Technical and requirements questions go to Oexa.

 

Note: Both pathways still require ADHA’s final sign-off.

Active Script List (ASL)

The ASL provides a centralised view of all active prescriptions for a patient. The current implementation of ASL is called  My Script List (MySL). Operated by Medication Knowledge (MK) and eRx Script Exchange Pty Ltd (eRx), who are wholly owned subsidiaries of Fred IT Group Pty Ltd, the ASL enables:

  • A centralised repository containing a patient's active prescriptions including their next repeat token

  • Authorised parties can securely access and retrieve information from the ASL to ensure continuity of care and medication management.

Accessing the ASL

  • ​Connecting to the ASL is optional for vendors.

  • Patients must meet the following requirements to access their ASL:

    • Obtain an activation code generated from approved conformant software.

    • Have their identity verified by a healthcare provider (this process is known as "assisted registration").

  • Currently, only pharmacy software vendors have enabled the assisted registration functionality.

  • While "self-registration" is supported in the conformance requirements, its technical implementation and the government digital ID system are not yet available.

  • Oexa has created a comprehensive guide for pharmacies and consumers about accessing and utilising the ASL.

Roles

Several entities and stakeholders collaborate to ensure the successful operation of the ePrescribing ecosystem. Here’s an overview of their roles and responsibilities:

  • Medication Knowledge (MK) and eRx Script Exchange Pty Ltd (eRx): Operators of both the NPDS and ASL, MK and eRx ensure these systems run securely and efficiently. For developers building their own MI or MA, MK (eRx team) facilitates the conformance process.

  • Oexa’s Managed Intermediary: A conformant Mobile Intermediary (MI), Oexa’s MI accepts connections exclusively from Mobile Apps. Vendors using this service complete their conformance process directly with Oexa.

  • Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA): Provides oversight and performs a final review for all conformance submissions, whether through MK and eRx or via Oexa’s MI. The agency ensures alignment with its electronic prescribing technical framework.

  • Prescribing and Dispensing Systems: Prescribing systems serve as the entry point of prescription data, while dispensing systems ensure accurate retrieval and fulfillment at pharmacies. These systems also go through a conformance process.

  • Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC): Sets the legislative and policy framework to ensure the ecosystem operates securely and within Australia’s healthcare standards.

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By aligning these roles, the ePrescribing ecosystem ensures a coordinated, compliant, and connected infrastructure.

Oexa

Oexa actively participates in ADHA's ePrescribing technical working group and Peaks and Partners meetings, providing input and feedback on the conformance profiles, addressing risks, and representing technical, consumer, and commercial interests.

Image by Joshua Oluwagbemiga

Streamline Your ePrescription Workflow

Managed Intermediary integrates seamlessly with your existing ecosystem to streamline your ePrescription workflow. Our platform is designed to simplify the process of managing prescriptions, so you can focus on providing the best care for your customers.

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