We build ePrescription integration infrastructure that connects prescribing platforms to Surescripts, state PDMP databases, and Canadian provincial pharmacy networks — using NCPDP SCRIPT and DEA EPCS regulations implemented to production certification standards.
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Surescripts routes the prescription. EPCS infrastructure authorizes controlled substance signing. PDMPs track what has already been dispensed. Each layer has its own standards, certification requirements, and regulatory obligations — and all three must work together for a complete prescribing platform.
The dominant electronic prescribing network in the United States, connecting prescribers to more than 67,000 pharmacies. Surescripts routes new prescriptions, renewal requests, cancellations, and change requests — and also enables medication history retrieval and real-time pharmacy benefit checking. Connecting to Surescripts requires application certification and compliance with NCPDP SCRIPT message standards.
Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances enables opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, and other scheduled medications to be prescribed electronically using DEA-compliant identity-proofed credentials and two-factor authentication. Many U.S. states now mandate EPCS for all controlled substance prescriptions, making this capability essential for any prescribing platform operating in those markets.
State-operated databases that track dispensed controlled substance prescriptions. Clinicians query the PDMP during the prescribing workflow to review a patient's controlled substance history across pharmacies in the state and, through PMP InterConnect, across participating states. In states with mandatory check laws, the PDMP query must complete before a controlled substance prescription can be finalized.
ePrescription integration spans the Surescripts routing network, controlled substance prescribing under DEA regulations, state PDMP connectivity, medication history retrieval, and real-time benefit checking — each with its own certification requirements, standards compliance obligations, and clinical workflow implications.
We build pharmacy and ePrescription integration for EHR platforms, telehealth companies, pharmacy benefit systems, and digital health teams entering the Canadian market. Hover a card to see how we work with each.
Five steps from Surescripts application to production launch. Controlled substance and PDMP requirements must be addressed in the design phase — retrofitting compliance into a completed prescribing integration adds significant time and cost. Hover or tap a step to see what it involves.
Register as a Surescripts partner and submit an application describing the prescribing platform, intended use case, and prescribing workflows. Surescripts evaluates the application and grants access to a test environment where integration development and certification testing occur. This step is the prerequisite for all subsequent ePrescribing work.
Implement the NCPDP SCRIPT message formats for new prescriptions, renewals, cancellations, change requests, and fill status notifications. SCRIPT requires correct use of RxNorm drug codes, proper formatting of prescriber DEA and NPI identifiers, and correct handling of all required and optional data elements. Message conformance is tested against the Surescripts certification test suite before production access is granted.
Prescribers using the platform complete identity proofing through a DEA-approved credential service provider. The application implements two-factor authentication for controlled substance signing and maintains the audit logs required by 21 CFR Part 1311. The application is audited by a DEA-approved third-party auditor to confirm that all technical requirements are met before EPCS can be enabled in production.
PDMP connectivity is implemented through the relevant state PDMP API or through PMP InterConnect for multi-state access. The integration is configured to automatically query the PDMP when a clinician initiates a controlled substance prescription and display the response within the prescribing workflow. In mandatory-check states, the workflow logic prevents prescription completion without a successful PDMP query.
Surescripts conducts certification testing to validate correct handling of all required message scenarios — new prescriptions, pharmacy responses, renewals, cancellations, and error conditions. Once certification is complete, the application is authorized to route prescriptions through the Surescripts network in production. Ongoing compliance includes monitoring for updates to NCPDP SCRIPT versions and Surescripts network specifications.
Every protocol is implemented directly — NCPDP SCRIPT for prescription routing, DEA EPCS regulations for controlled substances, PDMP and PMP InterConnect for monitoring, and provincial APIs for the Canadian market.
The messaging standard for electronic prescriptions in the United States, required by Surescripts for all prescription routing on its network.
Surescripts services beyond prescription routing — medication history, real-time benefit check, and prior authorization.
Federal requirements governing electronic prescribing of controlled substances — identity proofing, authentication, audit logging, and application certification.
State PDMP connectivity and interstate data sharing frameworks for controlled substance prescription monitoring.
EHR and prescribing systems deployed across U.S. outpatient environments that require Surescripts and EPCS connectivity.
Provincial pharmacy systems providing prescription and dispensing data for patients within each province.
Surescripts certification, EPCS compliance, PDMP connectivity, or Canadian provincial access — we build the pharmacy integration layer that gets prescriptions to the right place within the clinical workflow. Book a consultation and we will map out what a production-ready ePrescription integration looks like for your platform.
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NCPDP SCRIPT is the messaging standard developed by the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs that defines the format for electronic prescriptions and related communications between prescribing systems and pharmacy systems in the United States. It is the standard used by Surescripts for all prescription routing on its network. Every EHR system with ePrescribing capability in the U.S. implements NCPDP SCRIPT. The standard defines message types for new prescriptions, renewal requests, cancellation messages, pharmacy fill status notifications, and other transactions in the prescribing lifecycle. Surescripts requires compliance with specific SCRIPT versions as part of its certification requirements.
The DEA's EPCS regulations, codified in 21 CFR Part 1311, define the technical and procedural requirements for electronic prescribing of controlled substances. Key requirements include identity proofing of each prescriber through a DEA-approved credential service provider, two-factor authentication for each controlled substance signing event using a combination of something the prescriber knows, has, and is, audit logging of all EPCS activity including signing events and system access, and specific requirements for logical access controls. Prescribing applications must be audited by a DEA-approved third-party auditor to confirm all technical requirements are met before EPCS can be used in production.
Each U.S. state operates its own PDMP database, which historically required prescribers to log into each state's system separately to check prescription history for patients who had filled prescriptions in multiple states. Interstate PDMP data sharing has been standardized through the PMP InterConnect network, which connects state PDMPs and allows a single query to retrieve prescription history from participating states. Most states participate in PMP InterConnect, meaning that an integration connecting to PMP InterConnect can retrieve multi-state controlled substance history through a single query rather than requiring separate connections to each state's PDMP.
Canada does not have a single national ePrescribing network. Electronic prescribing is regulated and implemented at the provincial level, with significant variation across provinces. British Columbia's PharmaNet is one of the most mature provincial systems, providing a central repository of prescription and dispensing data for all patients in BC accessible to authorized pharmacists and prescribers. Alberta's NetRx platform supports electronic prescribing for Alberta-based prescribers. Ontario has been developing its ePrescription infrastructure through Ontario Health's digital health initiatives. For digital health companies building prescribing capabilities for the Canadian market, this means a multi-province strategy requires separate integration work for each province rather than a single national connection.
