Duct tape, e-scripts

Tim's response to the post last week about e-prescribing (and duct tape) deserves a few words:

1. Tim mentions that expresscrips has been doing e-prescribing for some time .. and he's right .. and in fact several other vendors have been doing things like this for a few years, but this initiative is different.  Why?
• They claim that most US pharmacies will be connected.
• There will be methods for physician practices to electronically transmit prescriptions to the pharmacy directly.  One EMR vendor has already announces support.  More will soon follow.  This thing seems to have more momentum than any previous e-prescribing initiative I've seen.
• It's not linked to one system like express scripts or PCS
• There may be methods for practices who are not "e-enabled" to transmit prescriptions to a pharmacy.  we'll see who they partner with in the hand-held arena.  Don't be surprised if it's epocrates or e-physician.
2. Tim asks about Duct tape for warts.  Sicne this post last fall, I've used duct tape in my practice many times.  I can say that my results are similar to those that are reported in the study – though I'll admit that my "n" has been rather small.  Probably fewer than 20 patietns in each group.  One man had warts on both knees – we duct taped the left (a small square of duct tape on the wart – changed every few days – until the wart is gone – usually 3 weeks or so)  .. and used cryo on the right.  The result?  Both warts were gone in 3 weeks, but the cryo took 3 applications.   I always bring up the Duct tape option now, and will often use cryo on the 1st visit (patient is already there) .. and suggest either duct tape or one of the OTC Salicylic Acid products such as wart-off .. and if things don't improve — a return visit in about a month.  For warts anywhere other than the feet, the duct tape seems to work very well.  Plantar warts remaim tough to treat.