New Zealand's national health information platform Hira has released a new FHIR-based API that will allow users to access more information about their medicines on the platform. 

The medicines consumer view API provides access to the Medicines Data Repository, which is now accessible for patient portal suppliers. 

Based on a media release, this new feature on Hira allows patients to view the medicines prescribed to them, their dosage, and whether the medicine has been dispensed. They will also be able to check their previously prescribed medicines. 

WHY IT MATTERS

Existing patient portals can only provide users access to information about the medicines prescribed to them by their GP. The latest FHIR-based medicines consumer view API extends their access to a range of medicines information, including all prescribing and community dispensing data, based on information sent to the New Zealand Electronic Prescription Service. They will only need to have their My Health Account digital identity authenticated to access the medicines consumer view. 

THE LARGER TREND

In an update this month, Hira also announced that users can log into the Manage My Health patient portal using their My Health Account. 

Moreover, it is seeking a provider of an event notification service, which will allow healthcare providers to know the changes in their patients' information, such as their address, and their interactions with the healthcare system, such as admission at the ED. 

Hira is currently on its first tranche of implementation, providing users access to personal health records, including COVID-19 vaccinations, prescribed and dispensed medicines, primary care summaries, and diagnostic test reports, among others. It is targeted to be completed by June 2024.