Ontario hospital emergency departments have successfully implemented the Drug Profile Viewer (DPV) System. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has made the prescription drug claims information (ODB Data) of 2.3 Million Ontario Drug Benefit recipients electronically available through the DPV System.

Access to drug claims information in hospital emergency departments has resulted in benefits to ODB recipients such as improved patient care through the reduction of harmful drug reactions.

We are pleased to inform you that starting December 2007, the ministry will begin to enable access to additional health care providers for the purpose of providing care. Phased deployment will begin with acute care hospitals where the DPV system is currently only available in the emergency departments.

Disclosure of ODB Data will continue to be implemented under the implied consent provisions of the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). Prior to expanding access to the DPV System, ODB recipients will be notified of the purpose for which their ODB Data may potentially be disclosed; and their option to withhold consent through various communication vehicles (e.g. posters and flyers at the point-of-care, announcements in community newspapers). The ministry will manage all inquiries, consent form correspondence and maintain records of consent withdrawal by ODB recipients.

More information on the eHealth Drug Profile Viewer System is available in the health care professional site.