Q: Do you know if there is a plan/roadmap for NZePS/MDR data to be available to community pharmacy/GPs
A: Yes and all GP and pharmacy system suppliers have always had the ability to integrate with Data Feeder Service and now MDR – only Indici have ever picked this up.
Vidhya is chasing the others.
Feedback from Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty:
Agree it would be great if we can encourage Pharmacy system/GP system providers to pick this up.
It has been a huge benefit to BOP community pharmacies to support safer and more efficient patient care. It certainly seems like it would have a wide benefit across the country.
Feedback from our community pharmacies indicates accessing these data can help with
- Medication interactions (i.e. Paxlovid supply or any antihypertensives/diuretics when supplying pharmacist only medications like diclofenac)
- Emergency supply of medication (increasing in frequency due to GP wait times and patients forgetting to collect/bring prescriptions – can’t supply without proof it was dispensed, would have to wait for a GP appointment)
- Scripts sent to the wrong pharmacy i.e. communicate directly (versus calling the GP to find out where it has gone, then calling the other pharmacy while the patient is waiting)
- Confirming medication brand i.e. not suitable to interchange
- Dispensing history i.e. if concerns around drug seeking behaviour
- Adherence concerns (patients often use a pharmacy close to the GP practice when acutely unwell, then their local pharmacy when back home – data makes it easier to identify who may need support/education)
As well as the numerous benefits for our GP/Primary care colleagues