Unifying Electronic Prescription Platform in Saudi Arabia: Study on Enhancements and Challenges

During my graduation project in 2022, I conducted an in-depth study on the electronic prescription system in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the challenges faced and the importance of unifying the electronic prescription platform. This research responds to the urgent need to improve healthcare services and provide optimal care for patients.

Challenges Prior to Platform Unification

Before the decision to unify the electronic prescription platform in the Kingdom, there were several key challenges:

• Medication Conflicts: Patients could obtain prescriptions from multiple hospitals without coordination, increasing the risk of drug interactions and their adverse effects on patient health.
• Medical Errors: Resulting from errors in handwritten prescriptions and manual distribution processes.

Benefits of Platform Unification

Unified electronic prescription platform has led to several significant benefits:

1. Enhanced Safety and Security: By reducing medication conflicts, patient safety has improved, and complications from drug use have decreased.
2. Improved Efficiency: Platform unification facilitates dispensing processes and reduces the time taken to access medications, enhancing patient experience.
3. Enhanced Monitoring and Oversight: The unified electronic prescription system simplifies monitoring and ensures optimal medication use.

Implementation and Future Challenges

To achieve maximum effectiveness of this initiative, comprehensive collaboration among all hospitals and healthcare facilities in the Kingdom is required, along with adherence to international standards for safety and reliability.

Conclusion

As part of the digital transformation in the healthcare sector, the initiative to unify the electronic prescription platform reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to improving healthcare quality and protecting patient health. This improvement is a crucial step towards achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing integrated healthcare.