The Big Three automakers and Michigan’s three biggest health care insurers are joining forces to help 17,000 physicians set up electronic systems for issuing prescriptions. The initiative is meant to not only help the automakers save money on health care costs but also eliminate the handwritten prescriptions sometimes blamed for fatal medication mistakes."It’s an effort to reduce costs, but also to improve quality,” said Marcy Evans, a Ford Motor Co. spokeswoman. “Improving the safety of prescription drug care will reduce unnecessary costs."Ford, General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG are collaborating with Henry Ford Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Health Alliance Plan on the Southeast Michigan e-Prescribing Initiative. Also participating are Medco Health Solutions Inc., which manages drug benefits, and RxHub LLC, a computer company that will transfer pharmacy information between medical offices, the pharmacy benefit manager and the pharmacy.
