ePrescribe: Pharmacy and SureScript Error Codes
At times a prescription fails to reach the pharmacy due to an error in transmission. When this happens, you will see error codes. Below are a few common codes and descriptions.
The following codes are Surescript's network electronic prescribing transaction error codes.
- When you see Pharmacy Error next to a prescription, click the exclamation mark icon to view the specific error code and its description.
Common Error Codes
Error Code 900 – GENERIC ERROR
Description:
This is a general-purpose error code that may appear for various reasons. Most commonly, it indicates the pharmacy’s system is temporarily unavailable and unable to accept e-prescriptions. Another common cause is invalid patient demographic data—for example, a first name entered as "John?1" (containing special characters such as “?” or numbers) may trigger this error.
Where It Appears:
This error may display as PHARMACY ERROR in the ScriptSure interface, either by clicking the exclamation icon or via a popup during prescribing.
What to Do:
- Retry sending the prescription at a later time.
- Alternatively, send the prescription to a different pharmacy.
- If the error stems from incorrect patient data, update the patient’s demographics by removing any special characters or formatting issues.
Error Code 900 – NO DEA SCHEDULE
Description:
Some medications, such as Gabapentin, are classified as non-controlled substances in most states but are considered controlled substances in others. ScriptSure defaults to treating these medications as non-controlled and does not automatically adjust based on state-specific regulations. When this mismatch occurs, the system may return error 900 with a note referencing the missing DEA schedule.
What to Do:
When prescribing a medication like Gabapentin in a state where it is classified as controlled, you must manually adjust the classification in ScriptSure:
- After selecting Gabapentin, proceed to the prescription preview screen.
- In the top left of the ScriptSure screen, locate the medication class designation.
- Click the class designation and change it to an appropriate DEA Schedule, such as Schedule IV.(See the example below for reference.)
- Once updated, the medication will be flagged as Controlled, and you will be prompted to complete 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) in order to transmit the prescription.