ENSURING SAFER PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE

Saskatchewan Health has implemented changes under the Prescription Drug Plan that will ultimately help prevent dangerous or inappropriate use of prescription drugs. It is now collecting information for all drug prescriptions filled in the province.

"The enhanced collection of prescription information is an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to build a system that allows physicians and pharmacists to quickly check whether a patient has obtained prescription drugs from other physicians or pharmacies," Health Minister John Nilson said.

The collection of complete prescription information is an important step in developing systems to improve the use of medications. This includes not only prescription drug abuse, but also situations where there may be confusion about the medications a person is taking, such as when treating multiple medical conditions, or where several providers are involved in a patient's care. Also, in the event of an emergency when a person is taken to a hospital in an unconscious state, the attending physician will be able to access a record of medications to help with treatment decisions.

Previously Saskatchewan Health only collected information on prescriptions for those drugs and people covered under the provincial Drug Plan. Consequently, no information was collected on drugs that are not covered, or on prescriptions for residents whose drugs are paid for by the federal government, such as First Nations residents and veterans.

"Pharmacists play a key role in the health and well-being of their patients," Representative Board of Saskatchewan Pharmacists Executive Director Brett Filson said. "Saskatchewan pharmacists worked hard to help Saskatchewan Health implement the information collection phase of this project and we look forward to the next phase that will allow us access to improved information to help ensure the safe use of medications."

The Drug Plan changes are in response to recommendations from a coroner's inquest into the death of Darcy Dean Ironchild. He was the Saskatoon man who died in February 2000 from an overdose of prescription medications. Testimony indicated Ironchild received over 300 prescriptions in the year before his death. The federal government paid for his prescriptions.

"I am really happy that the coroner's jury recommendations are being followed," Darcy Dean Ironchild's sister, Lorraine Stonechild said. "Sometimes problems with prescription drugs go unnoticed until someone dies of an overdose."

Now that the enhanced information collection phase has been implemented, work is progressing to bring in the next phase of the project. This will allow all authorized health care professionals who are directly involved in a patient's care to view the collected information.

"With this phase of the project completed, we look forward to the next stage of implementation which will allow pharmacists access to improved information to better care for their patients," Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists Registrar Ray Joubert said.

"This new system has the real potential to enhance patient safety," College of Physicians and Surgeons Registrar, Dr. Dennis Kendel said. "Having access to enhanced information will help Saskatchewan physicians offer the highest quality of care to their patients."

The protections outlined in The Health Information Protection Act (HIPA) apply to the prescription information being collected. Policies, procedures, and computer systems are in place to protect information from unauthorized use, error, or loss.

Changes to The Prescription Drugs Act were passed in 2002.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo opportunity at a Regina pharmacy is available at 2:30 pm at Lorne Drugs - 2255 14th Avenue

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For More Information, Contact:

Kimberly Kratzig Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-2743