PharmaNet is the province-wide network that links all B.C. pharmacies to a central set of data systems. Every prescription dispensed in B.C. is entered into PharmaNet. In 2007, over 47 million prescriptions were processed on PharmaNet and the system flagged more than 24 million potential drug interactions.
PharmaNet—administered by the Ministry of Health and the College of Pharmacists of B.C.—was developed in consultation with health professionals and the public to improve prescription safety and support prescription claim processing.
PharmaNet users include community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, emergency departments, medical practices, the College of Pharmacists of B.C. and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of B.C.
What is eHealth?
eHealth is an overarching term used to describe electronic health services and information delivered or enhanced through the Internet and related technologies.
The provincial government's eHealth Program sets out a group of initiatives and investments that will integrate electronic patient records and connect pharmacists, doctors, and other health care providers to new secure shared Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
For more information on eHealth, visit the eHealth Website.
Will eHealth change PharmaNet?
The eDrug Project, one of several projects under the eHealth initiative, will improve medication management and patient safety for British Columbians by upgrading and enhancing the existing PharmaNet system. The new PharmaNet system will be called PharmaNet-eRx.
A key enhancement will be “electronic prescribing.” This new capability will allow physicians to submit prescriptions to PharmaNet using their office computer system. Pharmacies will then be able to retrieve prescriptions from PharmaNet.
PharmaNet-eRx will also provide an expanded medication history that will include clinically relevant information from hospital stays as well as relevant oncology medications dispensed by the BC Cancer Agency.
Making this comprehensive information available to health professionals will provide them with a stronger base for clinical decision making, supporting better care and improved patient safety. |
