Fred IT to build SA RTPM system

PLANS to introduce realtime prescription monitoring (RTPM) in South Australia are moving forward with pharmacy IT solutions provider, Fred IT contracted to build the ScriptCheckSA platform.

Fred IT General Manager eHealth, David Freemantle, told Pharmacy Daily that the announcement meant most jurisdictions were making progress to sign up to the National Date Exchange (NDE), which Fred has been contracted to build.

ScriptCheckSA will be based on the Victorian SafeScript model, which is also set to be adapted for Queensland as QScript (PD 20 Feb).

“We’re hoping to have the vast majority of jurisdictions connected by the end of the year... with full integration [in South Australia] by early next year,” Freemantle said.

With NSW among the jurisdictions that have yet to formally sign up to the NDE,

Freemantle said there has been “some signs of activity... they’re currently reviewing the system”.

Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, has urged State and Territory Governments to sign up to the NDE as soon as possible (PD 10 Feb).

“The Commonwealth expects all States and Territories to integrate their systems by the end of this year,” he said.

Currently RTPM systems are in place, but not mandated in Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania, with Queensland’s Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Steven Miles, announcing a RTPM system will be introduced in the State in the second half of this year (PD 19 Sep 2019).