Premier Pat Binns today officially announced a Drug Information System for Prince Edward Island that will record information on all prescription drugs dispensed to Island residents. The Drug Information System is a computerized pharmacy network that will connect pharmacists, physicians, and other authorized health care professionals with comprehensive electronic medication profiles for all patients.
“The establishment of a Drug Information System is an important step in PEI’s progress towards an Electronic Health Record for each Island resident,” said Premier Binns. “It will provide health care professionals with secure access to prescription medication information, enabling them to assist Islanders in making informed health care decisions.”
“The Department of Health has worked with the PEI Pharmaceutical Association to ensure that the Province understands the changes required in retail drug stores to adopt the Drug Information System,” noted Premier Binns. “This work has resulted in the Province agreeing to provide funding to retail pharmacies to assist in their transition to the new system.”
“The Drug Information System will enhance patient care and safety by reducing the risk of medication errors and drug interactions,” said Hon. Chester Gillan, Minister of Health. “The system will also create efficiencies by automating some aspects of collecting and accessing patient information.”
Erin Farrell-MacKenzie, Executive Director of the PEI Pharmaceutical Association, stated, “The Drug Information System will enhance the communication of patient information between health care professionals. This collaborative approach to patient care helps to solidify the role of the pharmacist as a key member of a patient’s health care team.”
Dr. Scott Cameron, President of the Medical Society of Prince Edward Island, noted that Island physicians will see benefits from the Drug Information System. “The ability to provide quality healthcare will be enhanced by complete, up-to-date, and accurate medication profiles. Timely access to information is vital to supporting best practices and appropriate health services outcomes.”
Premier Binns indicated that the Province has signed a contract with DeltaWare Systems Inc. to develop and implement the Drug Information System. “I am very pleased that an Island company is able to provide a made-in-PEI solution that meets national standards for electronic health systems,” says Premier Binns. “PEI’s Drug Information System is slated to be the first of its kind in Canada.” Similar systems will be introduced in other provinces in the near future as part of a national strategy for electronic drug information.
Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway, which will invest approximately $2 million in this system, said, “This initiative shows PEI’s commitment and leadership in helping to make electronic health records a reality. Your work here can serve as a model for many other parts of the country.” Canada Health Infoway’s mandate is to advance the development of electronic health information systems in Canada. It is an independent, not-for-profit corporation whose board members are federal, provincial and territorial deputy ministers of health.
DeltaWare Systems Inc. of Charlottetown worked in partnership with the province to build a Drug Information System that adheres to newly established pan-Canadian standards for the exchange of electronic health information. “The Medigent Drug Information System module is the first of its kind to be implemented in Canada, and we are very proud of this accomplishment,” says Ed Lawlor, President of DeltaWare Systems.
The Drug Information System is supported by the Pharmaceutical Information Act, which will be proclaimed in the spring of 2007. The deployment of the Drug Information System in Island pharmacies will begin in July of 2007.