PharmaNet data set

Description

The PharmaNet system is an online, real-time system that captures all prescriptions for drugs and medical supplies dispensed from community pharmacies in BC as well as prescriptions dispensed from hospital outpatient pharmacies for patient use at home.   In addition, physicians may record medications provided to patients during an office, clinic or emergency department visit.  The recording of medications by physicians is not mandatory at this time; therefore this data is not complete.

PharmaNet supports drug dispensing, drug monitoring and claims processing. The PharmaNet system contains data related to both medications dispensed and PharmaCare claims.

Fields available

Both Core and Non-Core fields are available for this data set.

Core vs. Non-Core Data

Core Data: Some data available through PopData and HDPBC are ‘Core Data’. Core Data are data identified by the data provider as 'Safe Data' and eligible for pre-approved release, with the exception of PharmaNet data. Core Data includes commonly-requested data columns, but not necessarily all of the columns available in a data set. For example, some Core Data fields, such as geography or organisational codes, have been suppressed for increased privacy.

Please note that the overall data access request is subject to meeting ALL of the Five SAFEs requirements, not just the Safe Data component. For more detail on the Five SAFEs, visit the Eligibility and the FIVE Safe's model page of our website.

Non-Core Data: Non-Core Data are data NOT identified by the data provider as 'Safe Data' and thus are NOT eligible for pre-approved release. Access to Non-Core Data follows the usual processes and will not follow expedited review procedures.

For the majority of DARs, requesting access to Core Data may make the data access approval process quicker and reduce the wait time for data access. It may also reduce the need for time-consuming data amendments related to a request for additional data fields or changes to study populations.

> download PharmaNet all available variables (pdf)

Inclusions

• All prescription medications and supplies dispensed by community pharmacies in BC
• Prescriptions dispensed from hospital outpatient pharmacies for patient use at home
• Medications provided to patients during a physician office, clinic or emergency department visit (not mandatory at this time)
• Patient demographic data: Personal Health Number, name, address and date of birth, reported drug allergies
• Drug information and drug interaction evaluations
• PharmaCare and patient paid prescription claim information for drugs, dispensing fees, special services fees

Exclusions

• Medications administered to patients when admitted to hospital
• Drugs dispensed to hospital in-patients
• Antiretroviral medications dispensed from the Centre of Excellence in HIV/Aids at St. Paul’s Hospital
• Medications purchased without a prescription by the patient (e.g. Over the counter medications, herbal products, vitamins)
• Information regarding third party coverage; as a result it is not apparent if the patient paid amount was paid by the patient or a third party insurer.
• Third party paid amounts

Data changes over time

The PharmaNet system began on September 1, 1995. Before this time PharmaCare, the province’s public drug insurance program, provided drug claim information. However, PharmaCare only captured the portion of the population eligible for the PharmaCare program and as a result, it is not possible to access comprehensive prescription data for the province prior to 1996.

Quality/accuracy of information/field coding source

PharmaNet data is entered by pharmacists reflecting live transactions.

Important additional information

• Although the PharmaNet data is not part of the Population Data BC internal holdings at this time, it can be linked to data held by Population Data BC.
• Practitioner IDs in the PharmaCare data files held by Population Data BC (ie MSP, DAD) are not currently linkable to the practitioner IDs in the PharmaNet data files.

References

• More information on the PharmaCare program and the Fair PharmaCare plan is available on the BC Ministry of Health website at: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/index.html#.