Final answer:
Remote medication order processing is typically used where electronic prescriptions can ensure safe and effective drug administration, such as with opioids. Direct observation therapy (DOT) highlights the challenges of enforcing medication adherence across different medications. The responsibility for and cost of observing and enforcing prescription best practices remains complex.
Step-by-step explanation:
Remote medication order processing is permitted in situations where electronic prescriptions can ensure the safe and effective administration of drugs, particularly for opioids, as suggested in Gawande's 2017 research.
Direct observation therapy (DOT) is one strategy that has been effective in treating TB by ensuring that patients adhere to their medication regimen, as they have to take their medication under the supervision of a healthcare provider. However, expanding DOT for all antibiotics, including penicillin, would face practical challenges relating to patient convenience, and cost, and determining who should enforce and pay for such an initiative is complex.
The effectiveness of DOT and electronic prescriptions raises questions about the broader strategies to combat drug overprescription and the responsibility for policing best practices in prescription. However, it is important to consider the legal and ethical implications of remote medication order processing, as well as ensuring patient safety and privacy.