Evidence of meeting #29 for Health in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was infoway.
A recording is available from Parliament.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
I can provide the information if the committee decides they want to have it.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Yes, the committee will always...whatever I ask for. If you could table the information, that would be great.
You said that it was only pharmacists. Is that correct?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
It was pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Okay.
I have another question, Mr. Green.
In Infoway's 2016-17 year-end review, there's a point attributed to you, stating that Infoway's PrescribeIT service “will reduce inappropriately filled prescriptions for narcotics” and “improve the detection of fraud and abuse”.
Did PrescribeIT reduce fraud or the abuse of narcotics? Give me a yes-or-no answer.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
The system was designed to be secure—
Conservative
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
—so, unlike paper, it can't be forged.
I think the prescriptions were accurate.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
You have proof that it reduced fraud and the abuse of narcotics, for the $250 million that was spent.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
The benefit of an e-prescribing service such as PrescribeIT is that it is secure, and—
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
PrescribeIT did prevent fraud and abuse. Okay.
Our understanding is that you accounted for 5% of all prescriptions in Canada.
Does Infoway have any evidence, at all, that there was a reduction in inappropriately filled prescriptions? Do you have those numbers?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
Over the course of the program, we collected a lot of information and performance statistics. Certainly, if required—
Conservative
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
—those statistics can be made available.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
That would be amazing. Thank you.
On November 19, 2016, the Liberal government committed to reducing the harm and cost of opioids with the launch of PrescribeIT.
Given the state of our opioid crisis, did PrescribeIT measurably reduce the harm or cost of opioids in Canada?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
I think the program was designed with that functionality. I don't have the information at my fingertips to demonstrate the reduction.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Okay.
Can I ask what your salary is?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
Basically, my compensation is decided on by the board of directors, and—
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
What was your salary in 2025?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
As I mentioned, the board of directors decides what my compensation is—
Conservative
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
—and it is publicly disclosed.
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
Thank you.
What was it in 2025?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
I would say that the board of directors—
Conservative
Helena Konanz Conservative Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay, BC
You need to answer my questions, Mr. Green.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canada Health Infoway
The board of directors decides on my compensation, which is publicly quoted.