CPhA welcomes opportunity to reset e-prescribing with focus on sustainability and pharmacy-led governance
February 12, 2026 (Ottawa): The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) views the wind-down of PrescribeIT and the transition to an open, standards-based model as an opportunity to reset our national approach to e-prescribing and address longstanding sustainability and governance challenges to better support patients, providers and the health-care system as a whole.
CPhA has long supported the advancement of e-prescribing and believes it is critical health-care infrastructure that should be strengthened nationwide. At the same time, we have raised concerns about aspects of the PrescribeIT model, including its long-term sustainability and the introduction of per-transaction fees that placed additional financial pressure on pharmacies—particularly independent pharmacies.
“As we look ahead to the next phase of e-prescribing in Canada, it’s critical that the funding and governance model is fair and sustainable,” said Glen Doucet, CEO of CPhA. “Pharmacies should not be expected to absorb the full cost of a system that delivers value across the entire health-care system. A cost-sharing model, supported by governments integrating e-prescribing into health-care systems, would more fairly distribute the associated costs.”
CPhA supports the move toward open standards, which can improve interoperability and flexibility. However, standards alone do not address key operational questions for pharmacy, including how workflows will be protected, how consistency will be maintained across systems, and how accountability will be structured within the new model.
As this transition unfolds, strong governance will be essential. Pharmacists are among the primary users of e-prescribing systems, and meaningful pharmacy leadership will be critical to ensuring that the system supports safe, efficient patient care while remaining workable and affordable for pharmacies.
“Experience in other jurisdictions shows that e-prescribing works best when it is collaboratively governed, aligned with the needs of end users, and designed for long-term sustainability,” Doucet added. “Pharmacy leadership must be central to shaping what comes next in Canada.”
CPhA looks forward to working with governments and system partners to ensure the next phase of e-prescribing improves patient care, supports provider workflow and avoids fragmentation or unintended cost pressures within the pharmacy sector.
About the Canadian Pharmacists Association
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) is the uniting national voice of pharmacy and the pharmacist profession in Canada. As pharmacists undertake an enhanced role in the delivery of health care services, CPhA ensures that the profession is recognized as a national leader in health care, influencing the policies, programs, budgets and initiatives affecting the profession and the health of Canadians. More information is available at www.pharmacists.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Tyler Gogo
Senior Manager, Communications
Canadian Pharmacists Association
tgogo@pharmacists.ca
613-293-7223