Use of PrescribeIT® - A reminder from TPP Alberta for prescribing Type 1 medications
PrescribeIT® is a pan-Canadian e-prescribing service that enables prescribers to electronically transmit prescriptions from electronic medical record (EMR) systems to pharmacy management systems. Currently, prescribers using PrescribeIT® have an exemption from the physical TPP pad forms to prescribe TPP Type 1 medications while PrescribeIT® and EMR vendors implement a mandatory “Indication for Use” input field. A mandatory indication for use integration with PrescribeIT® aligns with the criteria listed on the traditional TPP pad form.
On September 26, 2024, the TPP Alberta Steering Committee set a compliance deadline of June 30, 2025, for PrescribeIT® and EMR vendors to integrate a mandatory “Indication for use” input field into their systems for TPP Type 1 medications. As of July 1, 2025, the above exemption will expire, meaning that unless the prescriber has another ongoing exemption, they will be required to use the physical TPP pad form.
A list of EMR vendors that have successfully implemented a mandatory “Indication for use” field can be found at TPP Alberta Resources.
TPP Alberta would also like to remind physicians that it is their ethical and professional responsibility to ensure patients are given the autonomy to choose the pharmacy where they prefer to have their prescriptions filled. Patients must not be directed to only PrescribeIT®-enabled pharmacies. As per item #7 of CPSA’s Prescribing: Administration standard of practice:
"When issuing a prescription directly to a patient, a regulated member must not:
a. reference on the prescription a specific pharmacy, pharmacist, distributor, agent or broker in the absence of a compelling clinical reason; or
b. direct a patient to attend a particular licensed pharmacy unless justified by the limited availability of a product and/or service."
The Tracked Prescription Program (TPP Alberta) monitors the prescribing, dispensing and utilization of prescription medications prone to misuse. For further information about TPP Alberta, please visit our website or contact our program at TPP.info@cpsa.ab.ca.
