Software that surreptitiously steers patients toward brand-name drugs has been banned
Ontario has banned a recently uncovered method by which electronic medical records are used to push brand-name drugs on patients, often without their knowledge.
A widely used electronic medical record software package (EMR) has been found to have an electronic-voucher feature, which steers patients toward brand-name drugs rather than their less costly generic equivalents, reported the Toronto Star.
In the wake of the discovery, Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has taken steps to ensure that the feature is disabled in all EMRs over the coming weeks.
“Ontario patients must have confidence that [prescribing] decisions are not influenced by marketing programs or electronic vouchers,” said Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins. He said he is working on the prohibition with OntarioMD, the body that oversees and certifies EMRs in the province.
A representative from Telus Health, the provider of the EMR where electronic vouchers were first found, said that the company has always ensured its EMRs “comply with provincial policy as it evolves over time,” adding that it is taking steps to implement the required changes.
An investigation by the Star had discovered that Telus had been paid by brand-name companies to have their products digitally insert electronic vouchers into prescriptions. The vouchers reportedly ensured that if a patient’s insurance does not fully cover a brand-name drug’s cost, the manufacturer would cover all or part of the difference compared to its generic equivalent.
While doctors had to agree to the voucher feature before it was enabled in EMRs and could opt out anytime, the Star found that some physicians had unknowingly enabled it on their systems. This included doctors in the Hamilton Family Health team, a 165-member network led by Dr. Monica De Benedetti.
“Patient information should not be used for marketing purposes — patients aren’t ways to make money, they’re people we care for and try to keep healthy,” she said.
In defence, Telus Health said the voucher feature was positively received by most users. A spokesperson said that since the voucher offer only applies when a prescribing physician chooses a drug by its brand name, “there is no influence on what drug the physician selects.” Brand-name drug manufacturers also said that the payment assistance vouchers let patients choose without spending more money.
However, critics have contended that many doctors use brand names when writing prescriptions out of habit, which means they don’t necessarily recommend a brand-name drug over a generic one. The offer of the voucher, they added, supports a false premise that the generic alternatives are inferior in quality.
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A widely used electronic medical record software package (EMR) has been found to have an electronic-voucher feature, which steers patients toward brand-name drugs rather than their less costly generic equivalents, reported the Toronto Star.
In the wake of the discovery, Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has taken steps to ensure that the feature is disabled in all EMRs over the coming weeks.
“Ontario patients must have confidence that [prescribing] decisions are not influenced by marketing programs or electronic vouchers,” said Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins. He said he is working on the prohibition with OntarioMD, the body that oversees and certifies EMRs in the province.
A representative from Telus Health, the provider of the EMR where electronic vouchers were first found, said that the company has always ensured its EMRs “comply with provincial policy as it evolves over time,” adding that it is taking steps to implement the required changes.
An investigation by the Star had discovered that Telus had been paid by brand-name companies to have their products digitally insert electronic vouchers into prescriptions. The vouchers reportedly ensured that if a patient’s insurance does not fully cover a brand-name drug’s cost, the manufacturer would cover all or part of the difference compared to its generic equivalent.
While doctors had to agree to the voucher feature before it was enabled in EMRs and could opt out anytime, the Star found that some physicians had unknowingly enabled it on their systems. This included doctors in the Hamilton Family Health team, a 165-member network led by Dr. Monica De Benedetti.
“Patient information should not be used for marketing purposes — patients aren’t ways to make money, they’re people we care for and try to keep healthy,” she said.
In defence, Telus Health said the voucher feature was positively received by most users. A spokesperson said that since the voucher offer only applies when a prescribing physician chooses a drug by its brand name, “there is no influence on what drug the physician selects.” Brand-name drug manufacturers also said that the payment assistance vouchers let patients choose without spending more money.
However, critics have contended that many doctors use brand names when writing prescriptions out of habit, which means they don’t necessarily recommend a brand-name drug over a generic one. The offer of the voucher, they added, supports a false premise that the generic alternatives are inferior in quality.
Related stories:
Employer-funded private insurance plans wasted billions on drugs: report
Empire Life CEO identifies next major cost for insurers
