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Star Micronics & Standard Register Team Up to Beat Prescription Fraud
In the past few years, those fighting the war on drugs have been forced to contend with a new battle - prescription fraud. A growing epidemic that costs the American healthcare system an estimated $5 billion annually, prescription fraud has drawn the attention of the healthcare industry, and led to the need for innovative, secure prescription solutions that are a solid deterrent to prescription drug abuse
One of the most common methods of prescription fraud occurs when prescription forms are stolen from busy exam rooms in both hospitals and medical practices. Grabbing prescription forms is akin to a thief acquiring a pile of cash, as 25 prescriptions have an estimated street value of $8,000. People who illegally obtain prescriptions can forge doctor’s signatures and order any drug they choose. If they are an addict, they can use the drugs themselves. However, some will forge a prescription for distribution. The draw in this to a thief is shown through the “street” value of prescription drugs. For example, the estimated cost of a bottle of Vicodin can command $700 on the black market"
One effective way to deter fraud is electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), which uses a secure, automated data entry system to generate a prescription, rather than relying on pen and paper that are so easily accessible to thieves. Used in conjunction with Standard Register's Scrip Plus® secure prescription stock and Star's Rx locking printer, this controlled process provides a triple deterrent against fraud.
Standard Register’s proprietary Scrip Plus thermal paper rolls have multiple security features layered into the prescription stock to deter alteration and counterfeiting. Its color-shifting ink, changes color with the touch of a finger, confirming to the pharmacist that the prescription form is authentic. CopyBan Capture® foils duplication attempts by displaying the word “void” if scanned or copied. Likewise, a complementary chemical feature imprints the word “void” on any prescription that has been exposed to acetone or any other chemical agent. The prescriptions are also uniquely numbered and bar coded, and feature hard-to-copy watermarks. Finally, each roll has a warning band with a printed message that alerts pharmacy staff of security features on the prescription.
Finding a printer that is equally secure is the next order of business for the secure solution. Star Micronics and Standard Register were introduced during a prescription fraud meeting held by New York State. After that meeting, Star's TSP800Rx printer was evaluated. The TSP800Rx is fast, quick, and small. In addition, the TSP800Rx is a direct thermal printer, which makes it durable and less expensive to print a prescription compared to a laser printer.
The TSP800Rx was designed to incorporate a Kensington lock slot, to create the highest level of security available. The locking feature secures the prescription paper roll from being taken from the printer without authorization, in contrast to a laser printer, where only the drawer can typically be locked. This is especially important given the open environments in which the printer operates.
Together, the secured paper and printer offer hospitals, clinics and private practices an additional leverage in the ongoing battle of prescription fraud..
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