Introduction

The Council of the College has approved in principle a new policy addressing physician access to the Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP) or electronic Health Record (eHR) Viewer in prescribing. 

Given the broad scope of this policy, the Council directed that the proposed policy be widely circulated to physicians, health care organizations and the public to seek feedback.

Background

The Council continues its efforts to try to improve physician prescribing, in part to address the ongoing opioid crisis.  The Council recognizes the value of databases such as the PIP and eHR Viewer, as they permit physicians to access information about all drugs dispensed to Saskatchewan patients in Saskatchewan community pharmacies.  As a guiding principle, the Council would like physicians to access a patient’s medication profile in the PIP or the eHR Viewer prior to writing prescriptions, particularly for Prescription Review Program (PRP) medications. 

However, recognizing the systemic and technical challenges that still prevent some physicians from regularly accessing either of these databases, the proposed policy establishes limited expectations for all CPSS-licensed physicians.  If this policy is adopted, ALL Saskatchewan physicians will be expected to have active login capability with either the PIP and/or the eHR Viewer.  The policy encourages physicians to access the patient’s medication profile in one of those databases before prescribing, but given the recognized access issues, that will not be mandatory at the present time except as directed in other standards or bylaws relating to the prescribing of opioid agonist therapy.

Consultation Request

The Council anticipates that it will consider feedback from stakeholders, including members of the profession, at its meeting on September 25, 2020.  The Council would like to hear from you!  If you have concerns with the proposed policy, it would be helpful if you explain the reasons for those concerns. 

How to Respond

1. Click on the link below to see the proposed policy.



2. Provide your response by answering the short survey on the next page. Comments may also be forwarded to communications@cps.sk.ca.


The Council anticipates that it will consider feedback from stakeholders, including members of the profession, at its meeting on September 25, 2020.  The Council would like to hear from you!  If you have concerns with the proposed changes, it would be helpful if you explain the reasons for those concerns, as well as any other suggested approach. 

Deadline for responses: Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
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