Supervalu Pioneers e-Prescriptions

Supervalu Inc. pharmacies are the first in the United States to gain approval to accept e-prescriptions for controlled substances.

Currently, the Shoppers Pharmacy and Farm Fresh Pharmacy banners in Virginia and Albertsons Sav-On Pharmacy in Southern California are the first pharmacies within the chain to accept e-prescriptions for drugs regulated under federal law depending on medical use, potential for abuse and addictiveness. In the coming weeks, this will be expanded to all Supervalu pharmacies where e-prescriptions are approved by state law, including Acme Sav-On, Cub, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s Osco and Shop ‘n Save.

“Supervalu Pharmacies are pleased to provide this added level of service and convenience of e-prescriptions for our patients who require prescriptions of controlled substances,” said Chris Dimos, Supervalu Pharmacies president. “This capability is another way our pharmacists combine technology and personal service to decrease our customers’ wait times for prescriptions.”

Doctors have had the ability to electronically send prescriptions for non-controlled medications for eight years. This new e-prescribing capability offers added convenience to pharmacy patients who require prescriptions for controlled substances. Instead of bringing in a hand-written prescription, any prescriber who possesses e-prescribing capabilities and is certified to e-prescribe controlled substances can submit their patient’s controlled substance prescriptions straight to a pharmacy.

“E-prescriptions are especially convenient for patients with multiple prescriptions for controlled and non-controlled substances,” Dimos said. “Now all these prescriptions can be electronically issued at one time and promptly filled, requiring no additional paperwork or waiting.”

All pharmacies must undergo a credentialing process to accept e-prescriptions for controlled substances. These security and regulatory requirements are administered by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Minnesota-based Supervalu Inc. operates 4,290 stores composed of 1,107 traditional retail stores, including 801 in-store pharmacies; 1,283 hard-discount stores, of which 907 are operated by licensee owners; and 1,900 independent stores serviced primarily by the company’s traditional food distribution business.