Conservative Members of Parliament are calling for a thorough investigation into the $298-million PrescribeIT program, a federal initiative designed to modernize prescription transmission that has been discontinued due to minimal usage among physicians.

PrescribeIT Program Faces Scrutiny

The program aimed to replace traditional faxing of prescriptions with a secure digital system. Despite years of development and substantial public investment, PrescribeIT only processed less than 5% of prescriptions, raising questions about its effectiveness and the use of taxpayer money.

Call for Audit Led by Conservative MPs

Dan Mazier, a Conservative MP, led the call for an audit during a press conference in Ottawa. He stated the program’s failure stemmed from deliberate obscurity, alleging the Liberal government intentionally kept PrescribeIT low-profile. He was joined by Conservative MPs Burton Bailey, Helena Konanz, and Matt Strauss, who echoed concerns about financial mismanagement and a lack of transparency.

Financial Details and Concerns

The initial budget for PrescribeIT was $250 million, but Health Canada disclosures reveal actual spending reached $298 million. Approximately $98 million of this funding was allocated to Telus Health, the primary technology vendor for the system’s development and maintenance.

Report and Committee Response

Concerns about PrescribeIT were initially raised in a report by The Globe and Mail, detailing escalating costs and limited impact. This prompted the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health to summon key figures for questioning.

Further Testimony Compelled

Michael Green, CEO of Canada Health Infoway, along with representatives from Health Canada and Telus Health, testified before the committee. However, initial testimony did not adequately address budget allocation or low adoption rates. The committee unanimously voted to compel further testimony from Mr. Green, the chair of the Canada Health Infoway board, and a Telus Health representative.

Investigation Continues

The committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to consider an emergency motion to explore options for continuing the investigation. This includes potentially accessing internal documents and conducting a detailed review of the program’s financial records.

The Conservatives aim to uncover the reasons for the program’s failure and hold those responsible accountable. They believe a comprehensive audit is crucial to prevent similar issues in future healthcare technology investments, emphasizing the need for strategic investments and effective communication.