March 17, 1994


	   Information and Privacy Commissioner
	calls for public consultation on PHARMANET


VICTORIA -- British Columbia's Information and Privacy commissioner,
David Flaherty, today expressed his concern about the implementation
of Pharmanet without public consultation.

In his first public statement about the proposed province-wide
prescription drug screening program, Flaherty noted that while
the goals of Pharmanet are commendable, there must be more public
debate about the risks and benefits of a mandatory data base of
prescription drugs.

"I strongly believe that Pharmanet should not become fully operational
before full implementation of the necessary protections for personal
privacy", Flaherty said at a Pharmanet workshop in Vancouver.
"I find it compelling to note that no other jurisdiction in the world,
to the best of my knowledge, has found it necessary or desirable to
automate prescription information in a public system, as is being done
with Pharmanet in British Columbia."

the Commissioner anticipates the involvement of physicians and other
health care professionals, including pharmacists, in the Pharmanet debate.
At present, physicians are not included in the Pharmanet scheme,
even though they are responsible for prescribing drugs, and groups
such as the British columbia Medical Association have not been
included in Pharmanet discussions.

Under Section 42 of the "Freedom of Information and Protection
of Privacy Act", the Commission has broad powers to investigate
automated systems of information collection in the public sphere.


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For more information contact:

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
4th Floor, 1675 Douglas Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8V 1X4

Telephone: (604) 387-5639
Facsimile: (604) 387-1696