Imagine pouring a staggering $250 million into a project aimed at revolutionizing healthcare communication, only to see it shut down before it truly takes off. That’s the fate of PrescribeIT, a federal initiative launched in partnership with Telus Health to replace the outdated fax machine system for sending prescriptions between doctors and pharmacists. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite its ambitious goals and massive investment, the program is being axed due to low adoption rates, leaving many to question whether this was a missed opportunity or a flawed strategy from the start.
PrescribeIT was introduced in 2017 by Canada Health Infoway, a government-funded non-profit, as part of the ‘axe the fax’ movement to modernize healthcare technology. The program promised a secure, digital alternative to the clunky fax machines still widely used in medical settings. By 2026, it had expanded to eight provinces and territories, with Quebec piloting the system. Major pharmacy chains like Shoppers Drug Mart, Metro, and Walmart, along with hospitals such as Humber River and the Ottawa Hospital, had signed on. Yet, despite this impressive roster, fewer than 5% of prescriptions in Canada were being sent electronically each year, according to reports from Canada Health Infoway and Telus Health.
And this is the part most people miss: while the program aimed to streamline workflows and reduce errors, its annual costs of $35 million—totaling over $250 million—raised eyebrows. Telus Health, which developed the underlying technology, collected millions in licensing and service fees annually and retained much of the intellectual property. Critics argue that the program’s failure to gain traction highlights deeper issues in healthcare innovation, such as resistance to change and a lack of incentives for adoption.
In a surprising twist, Canada Health Infoway began seeking a private partner to take over PrescribeIT in 2024, but the program was abruptly cancelled before the process could be finalized. Stakeholders were informed of the decision in recent days, with sources indicating the service will go offline by mid-2026. The organization has remained tight-lipped about the cancellation, citing contractual obligations, though a spokesperson promised updates soon.
To add insult to injury, in 2025, Canada Health Infoway introduced a $0.20 fee per prescription for pharmacists using PrescribeIT, a move that Glen Doucet, CEO of the Canadian Pharmacists Association, criticized as counterproductive. ‘It’s more of a stick than a carrot,’ he noted, emphasizing the need for incentives rather than penalties in future initiatives. Doucet remains hopeful, however, that the push for shared standards in health technology will eventually lead to wider adoption of electronic prescribing, even if PrescribeIT doesn’t survive.
Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Was PrescribeIT a noble but misguided attempt to modernize healthcare, or did it fail because it didn’t address the root causes of resistance to digital transformation? As Canada continues to grapple with integrating technology into its healthcare system—highlighted by recent legislation to standardize health data sharing—the lessons from PrescribeIT’s downfall will be crucial. One thing is certain: the fax machine, though outdated, remains a stubborn relic in healthcare. But for how much longer? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this complex and contentious issue.
