The Manitoba Society of Pharmacists was established in 1972 and is a not-for-profit voluntary organization whose purpose is to promote and advocate the economic and professional interests of its members.

April 2010
THE PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION ACT - AMENDMENTS

On May 1, 2010 amendments to The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) will come into force.

The amendments will change the time limits for responding to requests for personal health information. In particular, requests for information about care currently being provided in community practice settings must be responded to as promptly as required in the circumstances but not later than 72 hours after receipt.
The elements of consent for the use and disclosure of personal health information will also be outlined in PHIA.

The amendments include changes to the uses and disclosures permitted under PHIA. Trustees will be required to inform patients in writing by way of a sign, poster, brochure or similar means of their right to examine and receive a copy of their personal health information held by the trustee, and how to exercise that right. The notice must also state that an individual has a right to authorize another person to exercise their access rights.

Manitoba Health and the Manitoba Ombudsman have developed a brochure for use by trustees in order to meet the notice requirements. Health professionals should contact the Legislative Unit at Manitoba Health, 788-6612, to request copies of the brochure to make available to their patients/clients. To ensure timely delivery of the brochures requests should be made at your earliest opportunity.

For more information on these and other amendments coming to force May 1, 2010, please review "A Brief Summary of the Amendments to The Personal Health Information Act", which is available on-line here.