An amendment to modernize the Pharmaceutical Services Act and reduce red tape for prescribers and pharmacists was passed in the House of Assembly yesterday.

With technological changes, including the introduction of CorCare, Bill 19 will allow prescribers to verbally order controlled substances in alignment with new federal regulations.

The amendment will allow telephone prescriptions, and will enable them to be transferred from one pharmacy to another without the presentation of a physical tamper-resistant pad.

Health Minister Lela Evans introduced the bill for second reading yesterday.

“Pharmacists have access to patient electronic health records including drug profiles, and they are trained to ensure appropriate drug use. Further, the risk of forgery of a hard copy prescription is eliminated when the prescriptions are delivered directly from a prescriber to a pharmacy.”

A tamper-resistant pad will still be required when a patient is given a physical copy of a prescription for a pharmacy to fill.