The Australian healthcare system is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with electronic prescribing representing a cornerstone initiative in this evolution. The release of the National Digital Health Strategy 2023-2028 and the National Digital Health Blueprint has reinforced the national commitment to implementing a fully electronic prescription system across all setting of health and care throughout Australia.

This commitment was further solidified by the substantial financial investment announced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget, which allocated $111.8 million over four years and $24.2 million in ongoing funding to develop and maintain electronic prescription delivery infrastructure and services. This investment acknowledges the scale and importance of the initiative, which will facilitate the exchange of nearly 300 million Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions annually between prescribers and dispensers across the country.

Electronic Prescribing has been conceptualised as an integral component of the broader digital health and medication safety framework in Australia. The system aims to enable the complete digital lifecycle of medications, from prescribing and dispensing to claiming (where applicable), directly from electronic prescriptions or electronic medication charrs. This approach offers

prescribers and their patients the flexibility to choose between traditional paper prescriptions and the new fully electronic alternative, ensuring a gradual and accommodating transition to digital processes.

The implementation of Electronic Prescribing was significantly accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to the urgent need for remote healthcare solutions. This rapid deployment necessarily relied on existing infrastructure and services with minimal modifications to meet immediate needs. While this approach enabled a successful initial implementation that served critical pandemic-related requirements, it did not allow for the development of a more comprehensive and holistic approach to medication management that would better serve end users in the long term.

The current electronic prescribing ecosystem, though functional, presents various challenges across policy, people, process, and technology domains. These challenges include a general lack of confidence and knowledge regarding digital options among both healthcare providers and patients, resulting in slow adoption rates and resistance to change. Users frequently encounter usability and accessibility issues that hinder effective engagement with the system. Additionally, business processes remain inconsistent and inefficient across different health and care settings, creating barriers to seamless implementation.

From a technical perspective, the current landscape is characterized by disparate technology solutions that lack interoperability. Data is often unstructured or compiled in formats that diminish its utility and value for healthcare decision-making. Many components of the system rely on legacy technology solutions developed according to outdated standards and superseded conformance profiles, limiting their effectiveness and future viability.

Timeframes and Milestones

• The successful Service Provider will be required to deliver the services within the following timeframes:
• The Electronic Prescribing Solution Architecture uplift must be completed within [specific timeframe to be determined] from the commencement of the contract.
• This includes all consultation workshops, contributions to the National Electronic Prescribing Technical Working Group sessions, and preparation of the final draft for approval.
• The technical review of the Electronic Prescriptions ecosystem architecture must be completed within [specific timeframe to be determined] from the commencement of the contract. This includes the development of the RFQ, participation in the evaluation panel, and review of all deliverables produced by the selected supplier.
• The oversight and expert advice for the Modernised Electronic Prescribing Conformance Profiles must be provided throughout the duration of the contract, with specific milestones to be agreed upon with the successful Service Provider.
• Specific milestones and deliverables will be negotiated with the successful Service Provider and included in the contract. The Service Provider will be required to provide regular progress reports and attend progress meetings with the Customer throughout the duration of the contract.

Estimated start date: Monday, 23 June 2025

Initial contract duration: 12 months

Extension term: 6 months

Number of extensions: 1

Location of work: ACT, NSW, QLD

Working arrangements: Hybrid

as agreed by both parties