On August 30, 2017, Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) announced that PrescribeIT™, a national e-prescribe service, will be launching soon. Alberta is one of six provinces that has signed an agreement with Infoway. Therefore, PrescribeIT™ will be the accepted method for electronic prescribing in Alberta. As per previous communication electronic signatures outside of PrescribeIT are not acceptable.
Infoway has formed a working group to provide advice and feedback regarding implementation of PrescribeIT™ in Alberta. ACP is participating on the working group along with RxA, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Alberta Medical Association, and Alberta Health.
Alberta Health is working with Infoway to plan a limited production roll out (LPR) in Alberta and Ontario. A small number of Alberta physicians and pharmacies will be approached in the near future to be asked to participate in the LPR. Pending the evaluation of the LPR a larger roll out of the PrescribeIT™ service will occur.
A review of ACP Standards of Practice for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians and Standards for the Operation of Licensed Pharmacies has been completed. We believe that pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies will be able to comply with all standards in an environment where prescriptions are received via PrescribeIT™.
Read Infoway’s announcement and look out for more updates on their website as they continue the roll-out of PrescribeIT™.
