ID now required to get and fill certain prescriptions
November 3, 2011
Doctors and pharmacists now require patients to provide ID when seeking prescriptions that involve controlled substances...
It's a key part of the Ontario Narcotics Strategy which went into effect November 1.
A couple examples of common narcotic medications include acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol 3), and oxycodone (OxyContin). Controlled substance medications include: methylphenidate (Ritalin), benzodiazepines (Valium) and barbiturates (Phenobarbital).
Click to view the list of monitored drugs
"Your doctor or dentist will ask you for an acceptable form of ID when you are being prescribed your medication. A unique number from your ID will be recorded on your prescription," according to the Ministry of Health Fact Sheet. "You may be required to present the same piece of ID to your pharmacist in order to receive your medication. The information you provide will be recorded in the Narcotics Monitoring System, once implemented, to ensure proper prescribing and dispensing practices are being followed."
Below are a few examples of acceptable ID:
Until now, prescription narcotic or other controlled substance medication were obtainable without showing ID. The new policy also ends prescription renewal of these drugs, by telephone.
The changes are coming ahead of the computer monitoring system that isn't expected to be available until the spring 2012. In the meantime, pharmacists are recording the information on paper and filing it.
"Information collected will be used to detect unusual or inappropriate behaviour, identify trends, enhance education initiatives and develop harm reduction strategies," according to the Ministry. "The abuse and misuse of prescription narcotics and other controlled substances is a serious public health and safety issue in Ontario. The monitoring of these medications through law exists to protect people from the harm that these drugs can do, while ensuring that the people who need them continue to do so."
Alliston pharmacist Randy Greenman, of Wray's Guardian Pharmacy on Victoria Street, told Free Press Online this morning in an email reply for this story, he believed the changes are a step in the right direction.
Wray's Pharmacy, Alliston Family Pharmacy, and Shopper's Drug Mart have all been victimized by armed robbers over the past few years seeking the highly addictive drugs like Oxy. Last summer, a methadone clinic opened in Alliston to treat opiate addictions.
"It is a positive thing if it does indeed slow down the abuse of narcotics," wrote Mr. Greenman. "Will it stop the street use? Time will tell. If someone has come home from hospital and is not able to come to the pharmacy, their agent must have the patient's ID and we will need their permission to provide the medication to the agent. This will certainly slow down the process."
More info:
Ontario’s Narcotics Strategy - FAQ
November 3, 2011
Doctors and pharmacists now require patients to provide ID when seeking prescriptions that involve controlled substances...
It's a key part of the Ontario Narcotics Strategy which went into effect November 1.
A couple examples of common narcotic medications include acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol 3), and oxycodone (OxyContin). Controlled substance medications include: methylphenidate (Ritalin), benzodiazepines (Valium) and barbiturates (Phenobarbital).
Click to view the list of monitored drugs
"Your doctor or dentist will ask you for an acceptable form of ID when you are being prescribed your medication. A unique number from your ID will be recorded on your prescription," according to the Ministry of Health Fact Sheet. "You may be required to present the same piece of ID to your pharmacist in order to receive your medication. The information you provide will be recorded in the Narcotics Monitoring System, once implemented, to ensure proper prescribing and dispensing practices are being followed."
Below are a few examples of acceptable ID:
- Ontario Health Card or other health card issued by a Province or Territory in Canada.
- Valid Driver's Licence or Temporary Driver's Licence.
- Ontario Photo Card.
- Birth Certificate from a Canadian province or territory.
- Government-issued Employee Identification Card.
- Valid Passport - Canadian or other country.
Until now, prescription narcotic or other controlled substance medication were obtainable without showing ID. The new policy also ends prescription renewal of these drugs, by telephone.
The changes are coming ahead of the computer monitoring system that isn't expected to be available until the spring 2012. In the meantime, pharmacists are recording the information on paper and filing it.
"Information collected will be used to detect unusual or inappropriate behaviour, identify trends, enhance education initiatives and develop harm reduction strategies," according to the Ministry. "The abuse and misuse of prescription narcotics and other controlled substances is a serious public health and safety issue in Ontario. The monitoring of these medications through law exists to protect people from the harm that these drugs can do, while ensuring that the people who need them continue to do so."
Alliston pharmacist Randy Greenman, of Wray's Guardian Pharmacy on Victoria Street, told Free Press Online this morning in an email reply for this story, he believed the changes are a step in the right direction.
Wray's Pharmacy, Alliston Family Pharmacy, and Shopper's Drug Mart have all been victimized by armed robbers over the past few years seeking the highly addictive drugs like Oxy. Last summer, a methadone clinic opened in Alliston to treat opiate addictions.
"It is a positive thing if it does indeed slow down the abuse of narcotics," wrote Mr. Greenman. "Will it stop the street use? Time will tell. If someone has come home from hospital and is not able to come to the pharmacy, their agent must have the patient's ID and we will need their permission to provide the medication to the agent. This will certainly slow down the process."
More info:
Ontario’s Narcotics Strategy - FAQ
