A bold step towards digital transformation in healthcare has come to an unexpected halt. The federal government's 'Axe the Fax' initiative, PrescribeIT, a program designed to revolutionize prescription transmission, is being shut down after a significant investment of over $250 million. But here's where it gets controversial... despite the ambitious goals and substantial funding, the program failed to gain traction, with less than 5% of prescriptions sent electronically each year in Canada.
PrescribeIT, launched in 2017 by Canada Health Infoway, aimed to replace the outdated practice of using fax machines for prescription transfers between doctors and pharmacists. It offered a secure digital platform, yet its adoption remained low. Despite being live in eight provinces and territories, with major pharmacy chains and hospitals on board, the service saw minimal usage.
And this is the part most people miss: the underlying technology for PrescribeIT was developed by Telus Health, who won the contract and reaped the benefits of annual licensing and service fees. The company even published a white paper arguing for the benefits of digital prescriptions, citing a survey where half of pharmacists expressed dissatisfaction with fax communication.
The federal government's funding reduction and Canada Health Infoway's subsequent decision to charge pharmacists a fee of $0.20 per prescription further hindered the program's success. Glen Doucet, CEO of the Canadian Pharmacists Association, believes incentives, not fees, are key to encouraging adoption.
Canada Health Infoway, established in 2001 to advance electronic medical records, is now seeking a private partner to take over PrescribeIT. Its funding agreement with Ottawa expires this month, and the future of electronic prescribing in Canada remains uncertain.
Mr. Doucet remains optimistic, hoping that the shared standards being developed will lead to better utilization of digital prescribing tools. He envisions a future where fax machines are a thing of the past.
So, what do you think? Is the end of PrescribeIT a missed opportunity or a necessary step towards more effective solutions? Share your thoughts in the comments; let's spark a discussion on the future of healthcare technology!
