How long does it take for a pharmacy to receive an electronic prescription?
See how fast e-prescriptions reach pharmacies, what slows them down, and how Tebra can help you cut errors and save prescribing time.
At a Glance
- Most e-prescriptions are delivered instantly.
- Delays can happen due to manual verification, staffing, or insurance requirements.
- Practices using Tebra’s eRx software may reduce medication errors by up to 35% and cut prescribing time by 80%.
You hit “send” on an electronic prescription, but how long does it take to reach the pharmacy?
Most prescriptions reach the pharmacy in seconds, but when patients call wondering if their medication is ready, you need answers.
Here’s an overview of electronic prescription processing time and how tools like Tebra’s eRx software can help minimize delays and improve patient satisfaction.
How fast do pharmacies receive electronic prescriptions?
How fast are electronic prescriptions? Most pharmacies receive electronic prescriptions instantly.
However, pharmacy eRx fulfillments can vary based on the systems involved:
- 0–5 minutes: For well-integrated systems with real-time transmission.
- Up to 30 minutes: If manual verification is required.
- Longer delays: Caused by system errors, prior authorization requirements, or missing information.
Electronic health record (EHR) systems like Tebra connect to national networks like Surescripts for real-time transmission. Pharmacies with well-integrated systems often begin processing prescriptions before patients arrive.
But a few things can slow the process down.
| Tebra's EHR+ is an ONC-certified all-in-one platform built for private practices. Learn more. |
Why do some e-prescriptions take longer, and what factors cause delays?
Electronic prescriptions typically transmit in real time, but a few issues can slow down processing once they reach the pharmacy.
Common causes of this include:
- Pharmacy software limitations: Pharmacies using outdated or partially manual systems may take longer to process prescriptions.
- Manual review: Pharmacies may need to manually verify details, especially for controlled substances or unclear or missing information.
- Insurance requirements: Medications requiring prior authorization may be held while the pharmacy waits for payer approval.
- Pharmacist workload: High patient volume or staffing shortages can delay fulfillment even when the prescription arrives on time.
While e-prescribing helps eliminate friction, timing often depends on how well systems (and people) handle the handoff.
How Tebra’s eRx software streamlines pharmacy communication
Even with e-prescribing, delays can sneak in — especially when systems don’t connect or manual steps slow things down.
Tebra’s eRx software helps send prescriptions faster and with fewer follow-ups, saving patients and staff time.
Here’s how it works:
- Instant prescription delivery: Tebra connects with Surescripts, enabling real-time prescription transmission to most pharmacies.
- Automated safety and verification checks: Built-in alerts flag potential drug interactions and allergies before you send, reducing manual review and rework.
- Fewer insurance delays: Tebra integrates with payer systems to surface real-time formulary and copay information, reducing delays.
- Clear, structured prescription forms: A redesigned eRx interface, including SmartSIG suggestions, reduces ambiguity and improves accuracy — helping reduce medication errors by 35%.
- Integrated pharmacy search: Quickly link patients to their preferred pharmacy or search by city or ZIP code right from the platform.
- Smarter workflows: Streamline orders for both controlled and non-controlled medications with batch prescribing, which allows you to send and renew multiple prescriptions in a single workflow. Also, order delegation allows non-prescribing staff to queue prescriptions for provider review, reducing bottlenecks.
Ashley Barajas, Medical Administrative Assistant at Foothills Pain Management Clinic and Tebra customer, shared the following about Tebra's eRx solutions: "We tend to prescribe controlled and non-controlled meds often, so this is definitely going to help a lot of our providers.”
“We tend to prescribe controlled and non-controlled meds often, so this is definitely going to help a lot of our providers.”
Best practices to ensure faster eRx processing
Even with the right tools, small process tweaks can make a big difference. Here are a few best practices to help prescriptions reach the pharmacy — and get filled — faster:
- Double-check patient details: Inaccurate information can trigger delays or require manual pharmacist review.
- Use an integrated eRx system: EHRs like Tebra transmit prescriptions in real time and help reduce errors with built-in safety checks.
- Send during pharmacy hours: Prescriptions sent after hours may sit until the next business day.
- Train staff on common eRx pitfalls: Help your team avoid frequent errors, especially for high-volume, complex medications.
- Monitor status through your EHR: Use your dashboard to track prescriptions and spot issues early.
These small steps, paired with the right software, can streamline your prescribing workflow — and minimize back-and-forth.
How to choose the right eRx software for faster prescription fulfillment
Look for eRx tools that go beyond basic sending. The right system should help eliminate digital prescription delays, reduce errors, and improve workflow efficiency.
Look for:
- Real-time pharmacy integration: Ensure it connects with a national network for instant transmission.
- Built-in insurance tools: Real-time formulary and benefit information help reduce prior authorization delays.
- EHR compatibility: Integrates with your EHR, allowing for faster, more accurate prescribing.
- Smart workflows: Batch prescribing and order delegation features can dramatically reduce provider workload and streamline team collaboration.
- Patient cost-saving tools: The RX Saver Coupon lets you find the best prices at local pharmacies and send discounts to patients by text, email, or print.
Tebra’s eRx software checks every box — helping practices cut prescription ordering time by up to 80%.
Fabius Santos, founder of Optimal Psychiatry and Wellness and Tebra customer, shares the following about Tebra's prescription features: "I do think that with the EHR it's so important to have… the functionality of Tebra … being able to prescribe medicines and be able to look at patients’ medications they've already been on. There's things I didn't even know existed before the EHR when I used them."
“I do think that with the EHR it's so important to have... the functionality of Tebra … being able to prescribe medicines and be able to look at patients’ medications they've already been on. There's things I didn't even know existed before the EHR when I used them.”
Save time on every prescription
Every minute your staff spends tracking down a prescription is time they’re not spending with patients. Tebra’s eRx software helps eliminate delays so your team works more efficiently and patients get their medications faster.
Give your team more time to focus on care — discover Tebra's eRx solutions today.
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