Seniors are especially at risk.
This new system is an important step to guard against those errors in publicly funded programs. Under MEP, when pharmacists fill prescriptions for beneficiaries of Medicaid, PAAD and other programs, and enter the transaction into the state data base, they are notified automatically if a problem exists. If the prescribed medicine would cause illness or endanger the patient, the pharmacists do not fill the prescription until the patient's physician is consulted. In other situations, a temporary supply of the drug can be issued until the case can be reviewed with the prescribing physician. Under MEP, prescriptions are checked against standards set by the state's Drug Utilization Board, a group of physicians, pharmacists, and other health professionals.