The e-prescription is becoming the standard for prescriptions in Switzerland. Backed by FMH and pharmaSuisse and operated by HIN, it allows prescriptions to be issued, verified, and filled easily, while ensuring that no confidential patient data is stored centrally.
What is an e-prescription?
An e-prescription is a digital medical prescription electronically signed by the prescriber. It is given to the patient with a QR code containing the data needed for the pharmacy to dispense the medication.
At the pharmacy, the QR code is scanned to verify the integrity and validity of the prescription before dispensing the medication. The service does not store any clinical patient data: only the information strictly necessary for verification is processed.
How does the electronic prescription work in Switzerland?
- Issued in the practice’s software, then electronically signed by the prescriber.
- Given to the patient: printed with QR, PDF, or sent via secure channel (e.g., HIN).
- Dispensed at the pharmacy: QR scanned, integrity/validity checked, fully or partially filled.
- Status updated: each use updates the prescription to prevent duplicates and misuse.
What are the key benefits of the e-prescription for doctors, pharmacies, and patients?
The e-prescription brings tangible benefits to every player in the healthcare journey. For doctors, it secures prescriptions and reduces administrative workload. For pharmacies, it improves accuracy, optimizes workflows, and shortens wait times at the counter. For patients, the prescription is easy to carry, readable, and simple to use.
1. Increased security against prescription forgery
You might be wondering why the e-prescription is considered secure. It doesn’t create any central database of medical data: clinical information is embedded in the QR code and remains under the patient’s control. Only the data strictly necessary for the proper functioning and verification of the prescription are included.
What’s more, the e-prescription allows for a qualified electronic signature and a systematic check at the pharmacy. This means that only an authorized healthcare professional can electronically sign a prescription using their HIN eID, ensuring the prescription’s security and authenticity. Each time a medication is dispensed, the prescription’s status is electronically updated to prevent multiple uses or misuse. In concrete terms, this means:
- For doctors: Reduced risk of forgery due to diverted prescriptions
- For pharmacies: Instant verification of the prescription’s integrity
- For patients: Lower risk of errors
2. Fewer transcription errors
The QR code contains structured data, which avoids deciphering or manual entry at the pharmacy. It streamlines communication between doctors and pharmacies, reducing clarification calls and ensuring a smoother transition from practice to pharmacy.
- For doctors: More readable prescriptions, fewer interruptions during consultations and administrative tasks
- For pharmacies: Automated input from the QR code, fewer transcription errors
- For patients: Faster service and fewer errors in prescriptions
3. Time savings in your practice or pharmacy workflows
The electronic prescription helps standardize the entire process, from issuance to verification and fulfillment. Practice and pharmacy teams save time thanks to fewer re-entries and fewer phone calls. At the pharmacy counter, prescriptions are filled more quickly, reducing queues.
- For doctors: Streamlined issuing process, allowing administrative staff to focus on higher-value tasks
- For pharmacies: Faster processing, increased throughput without compromising safety
- For patients: Shorter wait times at the pharmacy
4. Real-time traceability and control of prescriptions
As mentioned earlier, each time a prescription is filled — whether fully or partially — its status is updated. This gives healthcare teams precise visibility into what was dispensed, when, and where. This visibility helps avoid duplicates, facilitates checks, and strengthens therapeutic follow-up.
- For doctors: Better visibility of prescription fulfillment and compliance
- For pharmacies: Less time lost on admin tasks thanks to fewer duplicate fills and unintentional misuse
- For patients: Simpler, higher-quality follow-up
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5. Freedom to choose the pharmacy and flexible fulfillment
The patient chooses the pharmacy they want to visit and presents their QR code on paper or directly from their smartphone. The e-prescription is easy to carry and can also be filled partially at multiple pharmacies, providing greater flexibility.
- For patients: Easy to use (paper/digital), freedom to choose the pharmacy
6. Integration with your medical software
The e-prescription can be integrated into practice and pharmacy management software. This means teams can continue using their existing tools. Since the electronic prescription updates automatically, pharmacies with compatible software only need to scan the QR code to access the prescription, even if it has already been partially filled.
- For doctors and pharmacies: Issuing and signing directly from practice or pharmacy management software saves time
7. A step forward toward digital health
The electronic prescription is supported by professional health organizations in Switzerland. It’s part of the national digitalization effort, including the new electronic health record (E-HR).
- For doctors and pharmacies: cost reduction, less administrative workload
- For patients: a smoother patient journey
What are the requirements for implementing e-prescriptions in pharmacies and practices?
Requirements for doctors
- Compatible medical software to issue e-prescriptions
- HIN eID (with physician attribute) for signing
Requirements for pharmacies
- Electronic identity (personal or institutional) with pharmacist or pharmacy attribute
- A method to scan the QR code
Why now is the right time to adopt e-prescriptions
E-prescriptions have been available in Switzerland since 2024. By adopting them now, you reduce administrative burden, minimize errors, save time, and offer your patients a smoother experience. You’ll also stay ahead of the full rollout of electronic prescriptions planned for 2029.
