August 13, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Printing Services introduced a new type of tamper-proof prescription paper last week, designed to reduce fraudulent prescriptions and ensure accuracy. This initiative comes just in time as Medicare and Medicaid will require all prescriptions to be written on tamper-proof paper beginning October 1.

When copied, the new paper reveals the word “void” in small gray letters, which becomes more clear if held up to the light. The paper also has an “Rx” watermark, and “Security Prescription” is displayed repeatedly on the back.

Stephen J. Murray, M.B.A, M.P.H, director of UAB Business and Auxiliary Services, says that by using their new equipment, the switch to the security paper does not cost any more than printing on the old paper.

“Let’s give pharmacists the ability to tell the difference between a prescription that’s legitimate and one that’s not,” Murray said. “We just saw it as good practice. When I found out about Medicare and Medicaid’s new requirement, I ordered 100,000 additional sheets, which allows us to print 400,000 prescriptions with our existing inventory, to prepare. Medicare and Medicaid may end up extending the start date by a few additional months, but I like to be ahead of the game.”

Many facilities across the nation have not begun compliance with this new rule. Some are concerned that the quickly approaching start date leaves little time to educate doctors and pharmacists. If the special paper is not used, patients will be denied their prescriptions, or the doctors and pharmacies will not be reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid.

Murray says UAB doctors will receive the new prescription paper when they put in an order. He expects to get a flood of requests for the new paper since it seems that it will soon become a requirement.