Prescription Monitoring Program and
Drug Information System

Supporting the safe use of monitored drugs

eHealthNB through the Electronic Health Record (EHR), displays in real-time a patient’s medication history of all prescriptions filled in New Brunswick community pharmacies.  This is supported by the Drug Information System (DIS).

Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) information is displayed in a separate view of only monitored drugs. Opioids such as Dilaudid and Percocet, and controlled drugs such as Ritalin, and Ativan are considered monitored drugs.

Authorized healthcare providers can access and use PMP information to make safe more informed decisions about patient care.

PMP information can help prevent harm by identifying patients who may be at risk.  For example, prescribers and pharmacists can see information on filled monitored drug prescriptions such as:

• Potentially high doses
• Multiple prescriptions for similar monitored drugs
• Different pharmacies where prescriptions have been filled
• Possible risky combinations of monitored drugs

Additional PMP functionality including alerts to prescribers and pharmacists are being developed in collaboration with stakeholders. 

PMP specific alerts will help identify patients being treated for the first time with drugs such as opioids, as well as, patients who may be at risk for addiction, or drug related harms.

PMP is carefully considering how health care providers should manage patients who have been taking opioids for a long period of time to prevent them from being suddenly cut-off.
 

• One single point of access to authorized medical professionals - available anytime, anywhere
• Provides current, relevant and standardized health information
• Focuses on confidentiality and security of patient information.
• Shares information between health care providers - for unified and holistic information

One key aspect of eHealthNB is the Electronic Health Record (EHR).  The EHR brings all the old paper-and-film aspects of health records and information – from diagnostic images to prescription history – into the digital world where it is easily received, stored and shared.

Information available on the Electronic Health Record (EHR)

• Patient demographic information
• Medication summary profile and Prescription Monitoring Program
• Laboratory test results
• Diagnostic imaging reports
• Specific cardiology reports
• Hospital visit history
   

Authorized healthcare professionals can view a patient’s medication history in real-time within EHR. 

All community pharmacies are connected and submit prescription information to the system.  This is the first step toward implementation of a fully integrated DIS.

Future DIS requirements are being identified in collaboration with stakeholders.

The Department of Health, makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of information in the New Brunswick Prescription Monitoring Program, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the information in the PMP. The records herein are based on information submitted by dispensing locations as defined by the Prescription Monitoring Act and should always be verified before any clinical decisions are made or actions are taken.