“We ended the digital prescription program because not enough people used it. Instead, we introduced a bill to help different health technology systems work together and improve patient care.”

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague and I both work on the health committee, and I respect her work on health issues and also on this topic. As the member knows, PrescribeIT was developed and introduced under the previous government at a request of the provinces and territories. Unfortunately the uptake was not high enough, so our new government has decided to end the program. At the same time, we have introduced a connected care bill, through the Senate, which would increase interoperability for digital tools and solutions. This would help improve health care and connectivity for patients in Canada.”

“An earlier digital prescription system did not catch on, but we learned from it. We are working with the provinces and territories to find a better way forward. We will also help them share digital health records with this bill.”

“Mr. Speaker, as I have said, PrescribeIT was introduced in the last Parliament, under the last government, at the request of provinces and territories. Unfortunately, the uptake was not high. There were a lot of lessons learned. We continue to collaborate with the provinces and territories on a path forward. At the same time, we will support provinces and territories on their digital solutions with Bill S-5.”