Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Ontario. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
McGuinty Government Unveils New Health Care Service for Ontarians
TORONTO –The McGuinty government is
expanding medicare by launching a brand new
service called MedsCheck for all Ontarians who
take three or more medications. MedsCheck is a
free service that provides people with an
opportunity to consult with their pharmacist for up
to 30 minutes once a year to review the
medications they are taking, Health and Long-
Term Care Minister George Smitherman
announced today.
“This is the first program of its kind in Canada and
it will ensure that people are getting the most from
their medications by taking them properly and
safely,” said Smitherman. “We recognize
pharmacists for the valuable role they play in
patient care – that is why we have created the
MedsCheck program.”
Under the MedsCheck program all Ontarians who
take three or more prescription medications for
chronic conditions can receive an annual one-on-
one review of their medications from a
pharmacist.
"We are delighted the government is supporting
the MedsCheck program as it will better utilize the
skills and abilities of pharmacists as front-line
health care providers to deliver medication related
patient care," said Ken Burns, Chair, Ontario
Pharmacists` Association. "The MedsCheck
involves the pharmacists’ assessment of a
comprehensive medication list. This helps
patients, pharmacists, physicians and other health
care providers work together to improve patient
outcomes."
MedsCheckis being provided to Ontarians as a
result of the Transparent Drug System for
Patients Act, 2006 passed in June, 2006. The
Act allows for the implementation of the
government’s plan to create a stronger more
effective and transparent drug system for everyone
in Ontario.
This is just one more example of how, working
together, Ontarians have achieved results in better
access to drug treatment for families. Other
initiatives include:
- Passing the Transparent Drug Systems for
Patients Act (Bill 102) to ensure improved patient
access to drugs and better value for money;
- Creating a new Pharmacy Council that gives
pharmacists the opportunity to be involved in
developing pharmaceutical related policies;
- Approving funding for 67 new drugs on
Ontario’s Drug Benefit Formulary since the
passage of Bill 102 on October 1, 2006.
Today’s initiative is part of the McGuinty’s
government’s plan for innovation in public health
care, building a system that delivers on three
priorities – keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing
wait times and providing better access to doctors
and nurses.
For further information :
Members of the media:
Jeff Rohrer , 416-326-8016
Minister`s Office
David Jensen, 416-314-6197
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Members of the general public :
416-327-4327, or 1-866-532-3161
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