Final answer:
Centralized prescription processing centralizes management and distribution of medication, which aids in directly observed therapy. This therapy is effective in treating diseases like TB, yet challenging for all antibiotics, raising questions on its practicality, costs, and the policing of overprescription.
Step-by-step explanation:
Centralized prescription or medication order processing allows for the management and distribution of prescriptions to be coordinated from a central location. This can facilitate the process of directly observed therapy (DOT), which is a method where healthcare providers supervise the administration of medications to patients. DOT is shown to be an effective strategy in ensuring patient adherence to medication regimens, especially for diseases like TB, and is a key component of WHO's TB eradication strategy. However, the practicality of DOT for all antibiotics, such as penicillin, is questionable due to the inconvenience to patients and potential increased costs. It also raises questions about who should be responsible for policing overprescription and what kind of penalties would be effective in ensuring best practices.