Which Act of 2003 was established to reduce medication errors due to illegible physician handwriting and to promote e-prescribing?

The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), enacted in 2003, is the legislation that includes provisions aimed at reducing medication errors stemming from illegible physician handwriting. One of the significant initiatives of the MMA was the promotion of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) as a means to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the prescribing process. By transitioning from handwritten prescriptions to electronic systems, the MMA sought to minimize the risk of medication errors caused by misinterpretation of handwritten notes. This shift to e-prescribing not only improves safety for patients by ensuring clearer communication of medication instructions but also facilitates better tracking and management of prescriptions by healthcare providers and pharmacists. The emphasis on technological advancement in medication management is a key feature of the Medicare Modernization Act, aligning healthcare practices with the capabilities of modern communication and information systems.