Information for Pharmacies

e-Health

Drug Information System - Getting Connected

The following documents and forms are intended to assist community pharmacies with connection to the Drug Information System and to support dispensary staff before, during and after Go Live.

Documents:

1

‘Go Live’ Toolkit: The ‘Go Live’ Toolkit is intended for use by community pharmacy owners/managers responsible for ensuring the activities required to connect to the Drug Information System are completed. The Toolkit contains:

  • general information about connecting to the system;
  • a checklist of specific activities that must be completed prior to connection;
  • the Joint Service and Access Policy and its associated Schedules (these can also be found on the Policies page along with an explanation); and
  • supporting documents (e.g., sample dispensary staff communications) and forms.

There are two types of Toolkits available for use by community pharmacies.

  1. Pharmacy Organization: This Toolkit is to be used by community pharmacy owners/managers whose pharmacies are members of/belong to a pharmacy banner, chain or corporation.
  2. Independent Pharmacy: This Toolkit is to be used by community pharmacy owners/managers whose pharmacies are independents.

If you are uncertain about which Toolkit to use or have any questions about the contents, please contact DIS@novascotia.ca.

2

Pharmacy ‘Go To’ Guide: The ‘Go To’ Guide contains quick reference material intended to support dispensary staff once their store is connected to the Drug Information System. The reference topics include:

  1. Drug Information System Support: Getting Help - which outlines the process for accessing technical support services
  2. Client and Provider Registries: Hints and Tips - which provides practical day to day advice on using the Province of Nova Scotia Client and Provider Registries
  3. Privacy & Consent: What You Need to Know - which summarizes important information about consent, masking and patient requests regarding information in the Drug Information System   
  4. Transition Guidelines - which includes information to be aware of when first connecting to the Drug Information System and during the timeframe when other pharmacies are being connected 
  5. Prescription Monitoring Program Fact Sheet - which outlines process changes resulting from being connected to the Drug Information System 

3

Joint Service and Access Policy – Section 5.3:
This policy is an agreement between the community pharmacy or the pharmacy organization and the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness (DIS Program). It is intended to provide clarity on mutual responsibilities, DIS access rules, and protection of privacy.

All dispensary staff members and relief staff must read Section 5.3 of the Policy. (Note: The full Joint Service and Access Policy (Pharmacies and Dispensing Physician) can be found in the ‘Go Live’ Toolkit as well as on the Policies page.)

Forms:

The following forms must be completed and returned at least two weeks prior to your vendor-scheduled ‘Go Live’ date to initiate connection to the Drug Information System. Return instructions are included on each form.

  1. Joint Service and Access Policy – Schedule A: Confirmation of Acceptance
  2. Joint Service and Access Policy – Schedule C: Confidentiality Agreement (Organization)
  3. Pharmacy Contact Information Form (MS Word)

All dispensary staff members are required to sign an Employee Confidentiality Agreement that references the Nova Scotia Drug Information System. Community pharmacies may choose to make reference to the system in their own confidentiality agreement form or use the form below provided by the Department of Health and Wellness – Drug Information System Program. Employee Confidentiality Agreements must remain in the pharmacy; they are not to be submitted to the Drug Information System Program.

  1. Joint Service and Access Policy - Schedule C: Appendix A – Employee Confidentiality Agreement