This PharmaChoice member dropped PrescribeIT—will others follow?

According to a a LinkedIn post from Kristen Watt, community pharmacist and PharmaChoice member, the major pharmacy banner has issued a recommendation to its members to discontinue the use of the electronic prescription service PrescribeIT ahead of the upcoming transaction fee.Curtis Chafe, vice-president of PharmaChoice Canada, told Pharmacy Practice + Business, in an email, that the company “did send a communication recently informing our membership of the ongoing discussions with PrescribeIT and the future relationship with PharmaChoice Canada,” but declined to comment further.“It is a little premature to provide a fulsome discussion right now, and with respect to all parties involved we would refrain from commenting further at this time,” he said on Wednesday. In her post, Watt applauded her banner “for standing up for its members, pharmacists and the communities they serve by recommending termination of the use of this platform.”“We are sending a strong message that the costs of care cannot be borne by Pharmacies alone,” Watt, who also sits on the board of directors for PharmaChoice, wrote last week.The proposed 20-cent transaction fee for PrescribeIT for new and renewal electronic prescriptions is set to take effect this coming January and will only apply to pharmacies. Pharmacist groups have expressed anger over the upcoming fee, calling it an unfair financial burden for the pharmacy sector.“Imposing this financial burden solely on pharmacies is unfair and places an undue strain on our operations. Despite our discussions and efforts to find a more balanced approach, it appears that our concerns have not been adequately addressed,” Watt, who has also dropped PrescribeIT at her own pharmacy, continued in her LinkedIn post. Canada Health Infoway, the non-profit behind PrescribeIT, has defended the upcoming fee, saying it’s necessary to “help maintain the long-term efficiency and security” of the service.

This PharmaChoice member dropped PrescribeIT—will others follow?

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