A state law requiring doctors to send prescriptions to pharmacies electronically is now in effect.

Instead of giving handwritten slips, doctors must send their patients' prescriptions directly to pharmacies online. News 12 is told that most doctors on Long Island are on board and have been using paperless prescriptions since 2014, but now the state is officially mandating the use of so-called e-prescriptions.

There are exceptions for veterinarians, doctors in nursing homes and doctors who will be retiring soon. Otherwise, doctors could face fines for not using the e-prescription program.

Health officials at NUMC say the move by the state is necessary because prescription pads can be easily stolen to abuse painkillers.

"I truly believe this is a lifesaving effort on the part of physicians and all hospitals to keep prescriptions and dangerous narcotics out of the hands of people who are abusing them," said NUMC President Dr. Victor Politi.

Pharmacists at Carmen Pharmacy in Westbury say patients who come in with a written prescription won't be turned away, but the pharmacists will contact the prescribing doctor to encourage them to sign up for the e-prescription program.

Since it was first enacted, officials say the program has cut down on illegal prescriptions by 90 percent.