CCOHTA to deliver Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service

March 11, 2004

OTTAWA — CCOHTA will deliver a new service approved by the Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health for promoting best practices in drug prescribing and use, CCOHTA President Dr. Jill M. Sanders announced today.

“COMPUS will provide Canadians with a centre of expertise in best practices,” said Sanders. “It is a logical extension of CCOHTA’s existing programs that guide the appropriate introduction and use of drugs and health technologies in the Canadian health care system.”

Best practice activities strive to improve drug-related health outcomes and the cost-effective use of medications by changing knowledge, attitudes and, ultimately, behaviour. To that end, the Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service (COMPUS) will undertake a variety of initiatives, including:

• Collecting, evaluating and distributing best practice information, strategies and tools.
• Facilitating best practices among health-care providers and patients/consumers by supporting and encouraging best practice initiatives.
• Linking and coordinating with domestic and international best practice initiatives.

“The success of COMPUS is linked to the successful implementation of best practice initiatives in the federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions,” said Sanders. “Equally important, is the need for COMPUS to provide high quality information and education that is valued by health-care providers and patients and consumers.”

Initially COMPUS will focus on three drug classes and diseases that have been identified as areas where improvements to medication prescribing and use would have significant impact. The three areas are: anti-hypertensives (drugs used to lower blood pressure), proton pump inhibitors (drugs for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems), and diabetes management.

A detailed work plan for COMPUS is underway and scheduled for completion by June. As details of the program are finalized, they will be posted on CCOHTA’s web site www.ccohta.ca

The Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment is an independent not-for-profit organization that provides unbiased, reliable information about health technologies. CCOHTA delivers a health technology assessment program, the Common Drug Review and now COMPUS. CCOHTA is funded by the Canadian federal, provincial and territorial governments.

For further information contact: Sandy Fox: (613) 226-2553, ext. 233