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 DateElementValuesNCIt Code
September 15, 2025DoseUnitOfMeasureChewable gel (Gummy)
Enema
Kit
C186222
C42915
C47916
March 1, 2026StrengthUnitOfMeasureInternational UnitsC48579
QuantityUnitOfMeasureInternational 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

Eric Hartkopf, PharmD