Media Release

Commniqué     

For immediate release

May 12, 2009

Canada’s First ePrescribing Program Launches in Ontario

eHealth Ontario project lays the foundation for a province-wide program

NEWS

eHealth Ontario has launched Canada’s first ePrescribing Program.

ePrescribing is the process of generating, authorizing and transmitting prescriptions from doctors and other prescribers to pharmacists and other dispensers. It eliminates hand-written prescriptions by physicians and facilitates the electronic delivery of prescriptions to pharmacies.

Two sites have been selected for the ePrescribing Demonstration Project:  The Group Health Centre in Sault Ste. Marie and Georgian Bay Family Health Team in Collingwood.

Through the two sites, eHealth Ontario will examine workflow, change management requirements, regulation guidelines and the impact on physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and patients.  The project will help inform future implementation of a province-wide ePrescribing system.

This new tool is a key component of eHealth Ontario’s Medication Management strategy and is expected to dramatically improve patient safety and quality of care by reducing prescription errors.

QUOTES

“ePrescribing is a integral part of our eHealth Strategy, which is all about providing 21st century health care to Ontario patients.  Lessons learned from this program will be used to inform the implementation and adoption strategies for a provide-wide ePrescribing solution.”

 - David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

 “Every year, an estimated 400,000 Ontarians suffer a preventable reaction to medication.  Four thousand will die as a result.  We expect the ePrescribing Demonstration Program will reduce the chance of errors and adverse drug reactions ensuring better care for patients requiring prescriptions.”

 - Sarah Kramer, President and CEO, eHealth Ontario

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QUICK FACTS

·         The ePrescribing Demonstration Project began in Sault Ste. Marie and Collingwood in April 2009.  The project is expected to be completed in June 2009.

Physicians and other prescribers in each site will work directly with patients interested in participating, to explain how the new process will impact them. 

·         The College of Nurses of Ontario, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Ontario College of Pharmacists have issued a joint letter of support for the project.

LEARN MORE

Find out more about Ontario’s ehealth strategy (http://www.ehealthontario.on.ca)

Link to the JOINT LETTER FROM the associations listed in quick facts.

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For further information:

Donna Kline

eHealth Ontario

(416) 617-9368 (cell)

donna.kline@ehealthontario.on.ca

Steve Erwin

Minister’s Office

(416) 326-3986

steven.erwin@ontario.ca

Link to video coverage

http://www.ghc.on.ca/videoclips/1257705-12.wmv