Some prescriptions now require ID
Windsor area residents filling a prescription now need to show identification.
Starting Tuesday, doctors prescribing and pharmacists dispensing controlled substances are now required to ask patients for their identification and record the personal information.
The change is part of the provincial government's Ontario Narcotics Strategy.
Tim Brady, president of the Essex County Pharmacists Association, spoke with CBC Windsor's Tony Doucette on the Early Shift. He expects there will be a lot of confusion at pharmacies today.
"A lot of the physicians didn't receive any information until two to three days prior. Our goal is just to let people know at this point bring some ID," Brady said. "You may have to wait a little longer. You may fill out some papers where you normally wouldn't have to before. It's not that the pharmacists don't trust you, it's just new legislation in the province that has to be followed."
The goal of the legislation is to curb the illicit use of narcotics, which includes Tylenol 3, Percocet and OxyContin.
"There are a lot of other little ones I don’t think people realize fall under the legislation," Brady said.
Brady says controlled substances also include sleeping pills and attention deficit disorder drugs.
Brady calls the new legislation "an inconvenience" to patients, doctors and pharmacists. He said the new system is great, but only when the electronic health records system is up and running. Until then, he said it will create some inconveniences.
Doctors must take a patient's full name, date of birth, sex and a unique piece of identification before prescribing the medication.
The patient must then show the pharmacists the same piece of ID they showed the doctor in order to receive the prescription.
A third party can pick up the prescription on a patients behalf, but they, too, must show ID and have their information recorded and stored.
Brady says until the government implements a computer system similar to one already used in B.C., information is stored in hard copy "in a box." A computer system in Ontario is scheduled to be in place by spring 2012.
Acceptable ID includes a driver's licence, health card, passport or utility bill – basically anything with a name and address included.
Brady has been a pharmacist for a decade. He said he's never once had anyone steal anyone else's medication.
"We’d know you and that would be fine," Brady said of the old system. "It's always been a handshake profession."
Now, he said that won't do.
"There’s always professional discretion," Brady said. "But if you don't follow the rules, your licence is on the line."
