The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday edition that Ottawa has cancelled PrescribeIT, a program developed to eliminate fax machines for prescription transfers, after spending over $250-million. The Globe's Chris Hannay and Kelly Grant write that PrescribeIT was launched in 2017 as part of "axe the fax" efforts to replace the older technology with digital tools in health care settings. In this case, it provided a secure digital way to transmit prescriptions from doctors' offices to pharmacies. As of 2026, PrescribeIT is live in eight provinces and territories and being trialled in a ninth, Quebec. It has also seen thousands of pharmacies sign up, including major chains such as Loblaw owned Shoppers Drug Mart, Metro and Walmart, and many hospitals, including Humber River Hospital and the Ottawa Hospital. Despite the number of providers on board, use of the service has remained low. Less than 5 per cent of prescriptions are sent electronically in Canada each year, according to reports from Canada Health Infoway and Telus Health. Canada Health Infoway began informing stakeholders in recent days that it was cancelling PrescribeIT. Two sources with knowledge of the program said it is expected to go offline in mid-2026.