How complete are drug history profiles that are based on public drug benefit claims?

BACKGROUND: In Canada, programs are being developed to supply hospital emergency departments and family doctors with electronic access to their patientsâ drug history profiles. While some of these programs have access to databases that capture information about all out-patient prescriptions that are dispensed to an individual, regardless of payer; others do not, and rely upon claims paid by their provincial drug benefit plans. The completeness …