Germany’s Cabinet introduced plans to allow the widespread use of electronic prescriptions and digital patient files on Wednesday at the end of the coalition government’s two-day retreat in Meseberg, writes German news agency DPA.
After years of delays, e-prescriptions are to become standard and obligatory for practices by the beginning of 2024. At the beginning of 2025, all people with public health insurance are to receive electronic patient files – unless they raise an objection.
“With this, we are starting a race to catch up both in everyday care and in research,” said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
Patients should be able to rely on their health data being used securely everywhere to provide them with better care, he added.
