Up-to-date OS key to e-script security

PHARMACY owners and managers are being urged to ensure they keep their computers’ operating systems (OS) and malware protection up-to-date ahead of the rollout of electronic prescriptions.

Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) Medicines Safety Program Director, Andrew Matthews, told a Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) webinar on Wed that the prescription exchange services had demonstrated their security settings, when asked about possible cyber threats.

“We’re in a world where those things can happen, and I don’t think anybody can say handon-heart that there’s absolutely 100% guaranteed no way for any attempted hack,” he said.

“But prescription exchange services have been around for 10 years, they are secure, they are encrypted, the data in there meets the standards and requirements under our security and ISM (Information Safety Manual) protocols for Government data.

“But that doesn’t dismiss the importance of making sure that you as a pharmacist and a pharmacy have good virus and malware protection software on your computers.

“I’m pretty confident about the prescription exchanges’ security, they’ve demonstrated that.

“I think there’s potential for breaches at a local level, and pharmacists should be aware that as more digital data is available, they need to ensure that they comply with keeping their software up-to-date.

“You as a pharmacist and pharmacy owner have commitments under data breach legislation to ensure that you secure access [to pharmacy computers].”