PrescribeIT® Prescription Authenticity and Digital Signatures

Prescriptions received from PrescribeIT® into Propel Rx do not contain the usual paper and pen signature of the prescriber. However, each PrescribeIT® prescription has a digital signature which is assigned by PrescribeIT®. The digital signature authenticates the validity of the prescription and meets the requirements set forth by the jurisdictions.

If applicable, select the appropriate tab for your province to view information about PrescribeIT® and controlled substances.

Alberta Tracked Prescription Program

Since 1986, Alberta has been monitoring prescriptions prone to misuse. This is known as the Tracked Prescription Program (TPP), formerly known as the Triplicate Prescription Program.

PrescribeIT® may be used for prescriptions containing controlled medications, with a few exceptions:

• PrescribeIT® cannot be used for extemporaneously compounded prescriptions that contain TPP ingredients. These still require the TPP form and cannot be sent electronically.

• Methadone e-prescribing via PrescribeIT® has been piloted, however is currently only available as part of select site implementations dependent on clinic EMRs and broader Alberta PrescribeIT® expansion plan.

Any other TPP medications can be received via PrescribeIT®:

• If the prescription is sent as a “directed” PrescribeIT® prescription (one sent electronically directly to a pharmacy), the triplicate form is not required. The electronic prescription serves as the authoritative copy.

• If the patient does not know which pharmacy they want the prescription sent to then the prescriber will provide a paper prescription to the patient (i.e. a deferred "non-directed" Rx), which is an authoritative prescription. In this case, the triplicate is still required and the pharmacy should only accept the triplicate prescription as the authoritative prescription.