FRED IT Group has been appointed by the Federal Health Department to create and implement a new National Data Exchange (NDE) service, which will underpin the eventual national roll-out of real-time monitoring of prescription medications (RTPM).
Fred CEO Paul Naismith said the company's recent experience in the development of Victoria's new SafeScript system would be "invaluable in extending real-time prescription monitoring to health professionals in all states and territories".
The $23 million contract will see the company "design, build and deliver the software system for the National Data Exchange" component of the system, with the project involving working closely with medical and pharmacy software vendors and jurisdictions to provide a consistent experience for health professionals practising in different environments.
The system will also reflect individual state and territory requirements, Fred said.
"The introduction of a national approach to real-time prescription monitoring will play a significant role in preventing prescription medication misuse," Naismith said.
The system will provide health professionals with accurate and up-to-date clinical data about patient prescriptions, and thereby enable doctors and pharmacists to identify and support at-risk patients.
Telstra Health, the 50% owner of Fred along with the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, welcomed the announcement, with MD Mary Foley saying "platforms such as this leverage our rapidly digitising healthcare environment to connect healthcare silos, and will support providers to improve medication safety in the community".
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