Electronic Prescriptions: Upcoming Changes to Quantity and Unit of Measure
The National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) is a not-for-profit organization that develops and promotes standards for the exchange of information within the pharmacy services space. This organization develops the e-prescribing SCRIPT standard as well as the pharmacy billed D.0 standard (among other things). NCPDP organizes numerous “work groups” with a variety of stakeholders representing industry, payers, and providers to solve problems related to the exchange of healthcare information between various stakeholders.
NCPDP recently announced upcoming changes to the e-prescribing SCRIPT standard that will impact the prescriptions that you will receive in the next 6-12 months. The following e-prescribing fields will see updates:
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| Implementation Date | Element | Values | NCIt Code |
| September 15, 2025 | DoseUnitOfMeasure | Chewable gel (Gummy) Enema Kit | C186222 C42915 C47916 |
| March 1, 2026 | StrengthUnitOfMeasure | International Units | C48579 |
| QuantityUnitOfMeasure | International Units Microgram Inhaler Milligram Nebule Pre-filled Pen Syringe Syringe Vial | C48579 C48152 C62275 C28253 C71204 C97717 C48540 C48551 |
Some of the QuantityUnitOfMeasure values are being reintroduced to reduce confusion and may help reduce audit liability. For example, e-prescriptions for Lantus® SoloStar® quantity of “15 EA” could be interpreted as 15 pens, 15 boxes, or even 15 mL. If prescribers begin to prescribe as “15 pre-filled pen syringes” this will be less confusing for dispensing pharmacies and likely reduce audit discrepancies (if eHR systems and prescribers use them).
PAAS National®® analysts often see PBM auditors challenging the interpretation of quantities on e-prescriptions, particularly when the unit of measure is “unspecified” or if the dosage form is a pre-filled pen syringe that comes with multiple syringes in one package (e.g., insulin pens or GLP-1 products).
PAAS Tips:
- NCPDP document SCRIPT Implementation Recommendations section 15 includes a good discussion of e-prescription quantities and quantity unit of measure
- Check with your pharmacy management software vendors to confirm that these values will be incorporated into your dispensing system upon release
I obtained my PharmD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy and worked for a major chain as well as various LTC and independent pharmacies, before coming to PAAS.
I am passionate about learning and teaching. I strive to learn something new about PBM audits every day, so that PAAS can be more knowledgeable to better serve our members! In 2018, I started traveling to state pharmacy conferences to present audit seminars and meet our wonderful members in person.
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