A new partnership will enable the implementation of First Data Bank’s Multilex Drug Datafile into ScriptSwitch’s real-time prescribing decision support software for primary care organisations.
ScriptSwitch is a software package developed in partnership with the NHS which sets out to improve clinical excellence by supporting the prescriber. It delivers concise medicines management guidelines at the point of prescribing, which can be configured locally.
The implementation of Multilex Drug Data File (DDF), First DataBank Europe’s drug knowledge database, will provide primary care organisations (PCOs), including primary care trusts (PCTs) in England, with up to date product availability and pricing data, when the system configures and presents medicines management recommendations.
ScriptSwitch’s head of operations and development, Nigel Fenwick, told E-Health Insider Primary Care: “We had a need to ensure that we could provide our customers with access to the latest drug and picking information. Multilex DDF offers a complete set of products to be prescribed in primary care – which is something we needed and our customers would find useful."
He said that the key benefit of making Multilex DDF available would be to improve the timeliness of information for drug management. "This link means we can make sure that PCT pharmacists work with the latest information."
Multilex DDF will enable existing ScriptSwitch customers to get more regular, monthly updates on all drugs, including details on dressings and appliances.
Fenwick added: “The arrangement with First DataBank Europe will enable us to continue to provide the most comprehensive service possible to our customers. It will allow PCOs to improve clinical excellence and communication whilst making considerable savings which in turn can be invested in other services.”
Keith Kirtland, First DataBank Europe’s sales and marketing director, said: “Working with ScriptSwitch on their innovative product, we are confident that PCOs and GPs alike will benefit from the incorporation of Multilex DDF.”
ScriptSwitch is currently used by 62 PCOs and they hope to strengthen their system with the Multilex DDF. The company have been working with an implementation team from First DataBank Europe to develop the product for the system and existing PCO customers should expect to gain access to Multilex DDF data from January.
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