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The Government is currently implementing a digital transformation in many areas. The corresponding changes also affect the healthcare sector. In this context, Ukraine has implemented an electronic healthcare system (EHS) that can create, submit, review and exchange declarations on the choice of a primary care physician, prescriptions, referrals, medical records, and other information and documents in electronic cabinets.<\/p>\n
Other priorities in digitalization till 2023 also include the creation of an electronic inventory management system for medicines and medical devices, the creation\/modernization of the State Register of Medicines and the State Register of Medical Devices, the introduction of electronic prescriptions, and the registration of drugs for substitution maintenance therapy, insulin drugs, and all prescription drugs.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the current legislation stipulates that a prescription can be issued in both paper and electronic form (in the e-healthcare system) by the relevant specialist.<\/p>\n
However, at present, remote prescribing can be conducted under the Affordable Medicines National Prescription Drugs Cost Reimbursement Program only. The primary care physician has the right to issue a prescription remotely without having a personal appointment with the patient in case of chronic or prolonged illness or the need to continue treatment following a pre-established diagnosis and treatment regimen.<\/p>\n
According to the European Business Association, the possibility of remote prescribing of medicines should be extended to all medicines, not just those included in the Affordable Medicines program. Moreover, this is relevant in times of COVID-19 – in order not to expose the population to additional risks when visiting the hospital and to decrease the workload on doctors who have to make time for a personal appointment.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the EBA appeals to the Prime Minister of Ukraine \u2013 Mr. Denys Shmyhal, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Digital Transformation \u2013 Mr. Mykhailo Fedorov, and Minister of Health \u2013 Mr. Viktor Liashko to facilitate the digital transformation in the healthcare sector, especially in times of COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
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