Prescription Information Needs to be Modernized
Eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse continues to be a priority across the legislative and executive branches of the federal government. Lawmakers who are fighting against wasteful spending should agree to eliminate an outdated and unnecessary rule that would result in the modernization of how critical medical information is transmitted. It would both bring common sense to a government program and improve the environment.
In 1962, regulations were adopted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requiring drug manufacturers to disseminate prescribing information to pharmacists and healthcare providers on paper. Although healthcare has modernized and uses electronic information in other areas, manufacturers are still required to send this information on paper. Each copy is on average 30-45 pages long and the process of formatting, printing, and sending each copy takes on average eight to 12 months. It is often outdated by the time the information is received.
This process often needs to be repeated several times for the same drug because the information that is transmitted from manufacturers to pharmacists and providers needs to be revised and updated. A July 2013 Government Accountability Office report noted that, “revisions can often be made to drug labeling as more data about the drug becomes available from its wider use by patients, according to FDA officials. In calendar year 2010, FDA reported 747 changes to drug labeling; this number increased to 975 in calendar year 2011, and to 1,257 in calendar year 2012. Because it takes time to print new labeling and incorporate it into new drug packaging, some drugs that have already been shipped to their distribution points might be on the market with labeling that is out of date.” Eliminating this regulation and allowing drug companies to transmit prescribing information electronically will end this redundant administrative burden. Today, health care professionals overwhelmingly prefer electronic prescribing information as it allows easy access to the most up-to-date drug details.
The FDA attempted to modernize this rule in 2014 and allow the information to be sent electronically in 2014, but Congress inserted a provision into an appropriations bill to block this rulemaking, which has been renewed annually.
Members of Congress have taken steps to finally modernize this rule. On June 11, 2025, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and then-Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) introduced S. 2027, the Prescription Information Modernization Act. A House version of the bill, H.R. 4132, was introduced by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) with 16 original co-sponsors. The legislation would allow the FDA to create a rule that would allow drug manufacturers to send prescription information electronically ending a wasteful practice and inefficient process.
The transmission of prescribing information is stuck in the 1960s. Congress should pass the Prescription Information Modernization Act and finally bring this process into the 21st century to ensure that pharmacists and healthcare providers receive this important information immediately rather than much, much later.
