The fiasco that was PrescibeIT. The Federal governments attempt to create an electronic prescribing system falls flat after spending $250 million with less than 5% adoption by users and now will be shut down.

PrescribeIT, federal e-prescribing initiative launched 2017 by Canada Health Infoway with Telus Health, aimed to “axe the fax” and replace paper/fax prescriptions with secure digital transmission.

Cost taxpayers over $250 million (plus ~$35M annual in recent years) over 8+ years.

Adoption abysmal: <5% of prescriptions sent electronically nationwide; most remain faxed or paper-based in 2026.

Shutdown announced: Service to end mid-2026 (May 29 per some reports) due to unsustainable low adoption and lack of federal-provincial cost-sharing.

Key failure factors: Poor EMR integration outside select areas (e.g., 84% in PEI but low elsewhere); no strong incentives; physician distrust from inconsistent pharmacy participation; added $0.20/pharmacy prescription fee in 2025 deterred use.

Hubris exposed: Assumed national mandate and heavy funding would drive uptake without addressing fragmentation, workflow friction, or stakeholder buy-in; returned to fax workflows after massive investment.

Shift ahead: Infoway pivoting to open e-prescribing standards for private adoption; highlights need for mandated interoperability, frictionless design, and sustainable models.

Lesson: Government-led tech solutions risk epic failure without real-world clinician incentives and universal participation.

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Playlist

1st segment

Intro:  Your My Best Friend – Queen

Outro: Happy Together – The Turtles

2nd segment

Intro: Follow You Follow Me – Genesis

Outro: Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney

3rd segment

Intro: Hooked On A Feeling – Blue Swede, Bjorn Skiffs

Outro:  I Don’t Want To Set The World On Fire – The Ink Spots

4th segment

Intro: Simply Irresistible – Robert Palmer

Outro: Just the Way You Are – Billy Joel