Pharmacy Matters - Checking Patient IDs Vol 38 No 4 - Winter 2013 | Jan. 10, 2014 Pharmacy Matters, Identification

Pharmacists are reminded to check patient identification before providing any pharmacy services. Not only is it a critical step in ensuring the right medication is getting to the right person, it prevents a number of other problems from occurring later, particularly if the patient turns out not to be who he or she said they were.

Forms of Identification

Primary Identification:

• BC Service Card (Driver’s Licence and Service Card)
• Drivers License
• Passport
• Provincial Identity card issued by the Province of BC
• Police Identity Card issued by RCMP or Municipality
• Certificate of Indian Status Card

Secondary Identification:

• Care card issued by the Province of B.C.
• Birth Certificate
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Landed Immigrant Status papers
• Naturalization Certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Change of Name Certificate
• Identification or Discharge Certificate from External Affairs Canada or Canadian Armed
• Forces
• Consular Identity Card

For more information please refer to Professional Practice Policy-54 Identifying patients for PharmaNet purposes and PODSA Bylaw 22.