E-prescription Switzerland service: key element of the digital transformation of the Swiss healthcare system

Data-saving solution incl. digital signature for e-prescription Switzerland

Acceptance at all Swiss pharmacies possible from early 2025

National solution for over 30 million e-prescriptions per year

E-prescription Switzerland

E-prescription Switzerland is an initiative of the Swiss Pharmacists’ Association pharmaSuisse and the Swiss Medical Association FMH. The E-Prescription Switzerland service is provided by Health Info Net AG (HIN).

At a glance

In 2021, HIN commissioned Certifaction with the joint development of a data-saving solution for the e-prescription Switzerland service. HIN and Certifaction have been working together since 2020 and have already successfully developed HIN Sign and HIN Sign Professional for the Swiss healthcare sector.

Maximum security

Thanks to zero-document knowledge, Certifaction and HIN never have access to sensitive data

Life cycle

Complete life cycle from the signature to the redemption of the e-prescription

Seamless integration

Integrated into all leading IT systems of medical practices, hospitals and pharmacies

Get to know the customer

Health Info Net AG (HIN) protects patient data in the digital world. For healthcare professionals in Switzerland, HIN is the standard for secure communication and the trustworthy handling of sensitive data.

HIN was founded in 1996 on the initiative of the FMH and the Ärztekasse. Since then, HIN has been networking healthcare professionals in a simple, secure, and personal manner.

The challenge:

In today’s digital world, efficiency and security play a crucial role – especially in the healthcare sector. The medical and pharmacy communities in Switzerland have joined forces to promote the Swiss e-prescription initiative.-prescriptions are an important milestone in the digitalization of the Swiss healthcare system and enable the exchange between doctor, patient and pharmacy to be paperless, secure and fast.

HIN’s aim was to offer a widely accepted and standardized solution for the Swiss healthcare system with the E-Prescription Switzerland Service. Similar to HIN Sign the E-Prescription Switzerland Service also uses the HIN eID or an equivalent, EPD-certified means of identification for medical staff or the organization as a basis. The solution had to be data-efficient and secure against forgery and misuse. The search was not just for a simple signature solution, but for an end-to-end solution that covers the entire life cycle of an e-prescription.

In addition, simple integration via API into all leading hospital, practice and pharmacy information systems was a key requirement for Certifaction’s technical solution.

Customer requirements

The top priority: Data minimization and security

National solution for over 30 million e-prescriptions per year

Seamless integration into existing applications (PIS, HIS & pharmacy systems)

Mapping of the complete e-prescription life cycle

Single sign-on (SSO) and signature based on the HIN eID

“The close collaboration with Certifaction enabled us to develop a secure and privacy-compliant solution without compromising the user-friendliness of the Swiss e-prescription. This is the key to a successful digitalization of the healthcare sector.”

Christoph Weber, Product Manager, HIN

The solution

Certifaction and HIN have jointly developed a solution that makes the entire e-prescription signature process efficient, secure and legally compliant. Furthermore, the solution is designed for a very high volume, as around 30 million prescriptions are issued in Switzerland every year..

Thanks to Certifaction’s zero-document-knowledge technology the solution meets the highest security and data protection requirements. Doctors, patients and pharmacies benefit equally from the efficiency and reliability of the new digital process.

The implementation of the e-prescription solution enables doctors to digitally sign e-prescriptions securely based on their personal HIN eID. The digital prescriptions are generated directly from the hospital or practice software and made forgery-proof by the electronic signature. This protects them from misuse. The pharmacy can then use the QR code scanner to automatically read, check and validate the e-prescription. Authentication is also based on electronic identities.

An API that makes developers happy

Enjoy a simple integration into your existing systems

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The result: efficient and safe eMedication

“The cooperation during the introduction was excellent, as Certifaction supported us in all aspects in a cooperative, uncomplicated manner.”

Peer Hostettler, Member of the Executive Board, HIN

For doctors, the introduction of e-prescriptions is a relief. They can issue e-prescriptions directly from their software, sign them in a legally compliant manner and transmit them securely to pharmacies. This reduces the risk of errors and forgeries.

For patients, the e-prescription offers convenience and security. They no longer have to keep physical prescriptions or worry about losing paper documents. In future, e-prescriptions can be conveniently downloaded onto a smartphone. This means you always have them with you, they remain legible and don’t get lost.

The e-prescription also offers advantages for pharmacies. They can read the prescription automatically via the QR code and no longer have to laboriously type it in manually. Authenticity is also checked immediately and automatically. The result: faster and more efficient supply of medication to patients.

The e-prescription shows how digitalization can make the healthcare system more efficient and secure — a major step towards a paperless and networked future.

All benefits at a glance

Maximum data and document security

Solution for > 30 mio e-prescriptions/year

Complete life cycle from signature to cancellation

Partnership-based product development

Single sign-on (SSO) based on HIN eID

Signature based on HIN eID

Easy-to-use signing function

Simple integration via API

Forgery and tamper-proof

Use via web app or integration

User-friendly, data-saving signature

Easy access to digitization

I would like to benefit from these advantages

Your Way to the Future

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Contact us now to see how we can integrate our one-click sign button into your existing software. Or start a free trial to explore how you can sign and certify your documents through our web app – and to test our online verification tool.

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FAQs

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions

Are Certifaction's eSignatures legally valid?

Yes, our e-signatures are fully legally valid and meet all relevant standards, such as eIDAS, ZertES, UETA and ESIGN. You can choose between different signature types that best suit your use case.

What is the Zero Document Knowledge technology and what are the advantages?

Unlike many other providers, our technology allows you to sign documents without us ever seeing their contents. Your documents are processed locally and can be end-to-end encrypted and therefore remain illegible to us (and others).

In addition, we offer the option of storing the documents in your own data center or on ISO 27001-certified servers in Switzerland or an EU country.

Is there a white-labeled version of Certifaction?

Yes, Certifaction offers a customized white-label option for partners. This enables seamless integration of your own products such as eIDs and certificates. The white-label solution gives partners complete control over the platform. As an integrative partner, we help open up new revenue streams and maximize business potential by providing customized solutions for individual needs.

How much integration work is involved?

The Certification WebApp can be used immediately in the browser. The eSignature solution can also be integrated quickly via an API connection. Alternatively, the solution can be used as a white-label product, with complete personalization. This can be done in a few weeks, depending on the requirements.

Why should I choose Certification over an on-premises solution?

Certifaction is a hybrid solution without a complex infrastructure. The connection is established via API or by installing the CLI client. This makes our e-signature solution more flexible and cost-effective than a solution operated in your own data center.

What makes Certification stand out from the competition?

Certifaction is characterized by its innovative technology and clear focus on partnerships. Our customers value us as a trustworthy European partner that not only offers close cooperation and the highest security standards, but also enables the integration of our own products through white-label solutions. This opens up new business opportunities and additional revenue streams for our partners.Our solution offers:

Optimal security through zero document knowledge
Innovative features such as the Digital Twin (make digitally signed documents verifiable even when printed), batch signatures, teamspaces (spaces with shared signature processes) and guest signatures without registration
Signature requests in under a minute and a smooth onboarding in just 15 minutes through intuitive operation
Smooth identification without app download within the shortest time
A net promoter score (NPS) of +90

Do you have any other questions?

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