fbpx
Size of letters 1x
Site color
Image
Additionally
Line height
Letter spacing
Font
Embedded items (videos, maps, etc.)
 

E-prescription for narcotic drugs has been introduced in Ukraine since November 1

07/ 11/ 2022
  The next stage of the introduction of e-prescription and improvement of access to painkillers for seriously ill patients was discussed at a recent meeting of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine with representatives of the European Business Association. Thus, since November 1, narcotic (psychotropic) drugs in Ukraine is sold by electronic prescription. In medical practice, these drugs are used, mainly, to relieve pain symptoms in patients undergoing complex treatment –  in cancer, severe injuries, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in the provision of palliative care. An electronic prescription is being introduced to improve access to these medicines and strengthen control over their circulation in Ukraine. The e-prescription implementation team headed by Deputy Minister of Health for Digital Development Maria Karchevych discussed the novelties with the EBA companies. Also, the meeting was joined by medical expert Zoya Maksimova who is a medical psychologist, and palliative care doctor of the mobile application of the Charitable Foundation SVOYI, head of the Palliative Care Center of the medical network Dobrobut. Maria Karchevych. Deputy Minister of Health for Digital Development . You can get such an e-prescription for a narcotic (psychotropic) drug at an appointment with a doctor responsible for the patient´s treatment. This can be either a family doctor or a narrow-profile specialist. However, if the doctor does not yet work with the Electronic Healthcare System or there are technical difficulties related to the lack of electricity, etc. during the transition period, he/she will be able to write a paper prescription to the patient on a special form. Dmytro Lurye. EBA Health Care Committee Manager. The business community supports the work of the digitalization team of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on the transition to e-prescription, especially since it provides not only increased control over the circulation of medicines but also improved access to treatment, such as painkillers, which are covered by the second stage of the project. At the same time, an important component is to monitor the e-prescription and analyze its effectiveness, especially before making a final decision on the full transition to e-prescription for all prescription medicines. With the issuance of an e-prescription, the patient will receive an SMS with the number of the electronic prescription and a unique confirmation code, which must be reported at the pharmacy to receive the prescribed drugs. The validity of such a prescription is 10 days from the date of its issuance. Meanwhile, in case of a prolonged or chronic illness or if it is necessary to continue treatment, the patient can receive a repeat electronic prescription for the necessary medicines remotely by contacting his/her doctor by phone. The exception is the medicines prescribed for substitution maintenance therapy for people with mental and behavioral disorders due to opioid use. In this case, patients can receive an e-prescription only at a physical appointment. As in the case of physical reception, when receiving an e-prescription remotely, the patient will receive an SMS message with the prescription number and its redemption code. It is still possible to receive narcotic drugs by prescription in a pharmacy with the appropriate license to dispense narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors.  Like the e-prescription for antibiotics, the dispensing of narcotic (psychotropic) drugs in the e-healthcare system is another step in providing tools to control the dispensing of prescription drugs. However, more importantly, it is a new stage on the way to strengthening the health of Ukrainians, improving access to medicines, and Ukraines integration into the European community. We thank the participants of the meeting for the opportunity to discuss current changes in the healthcare sector. The presentations of the speakers can be found at the links (e-prescription, palliative care), as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions. View the recording of the meeting on the EBA YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/Q3RtysPrDAM    

The next stage of the introduction of e-prescription and improvement of access to painkillers for seriously ill patients was discussed at a recent meeting of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine with representatives of the European Business Association. Thus, since November 1, narcotic (psychotropic) drugs in Ukraine is sold by electronic prescription.

In medical practice, these drugs are used, mainly, to relieve pain symptoms in patients undergoing complex treatment –  in cancer, severe injuries, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in the provision of palliative care.

An electronic prescription is being introduced to improve access to these medicines and strengthen control over their circulation in Ukraine.

The e-prescription implementation team headed by Deputy Minister of Health for Digital Development Maria Karchevych discussed the novelties with the EBA companies.

Also, the meeting was joined by medical expert Zoya Maksimova who is a medical psychologist, and palliative care doctor of the mobile application of the Charitable Foundation “SVOYI”, head of the Palliative Care Center of the medical network “Dobrobut”.

Maria Karchevych Deputy Minister of Health for Digital Development
You can get such an e-prescription for a narcotic (psychotropic) drug at an appointment with a doctor responsible for the patient´s treatment. This can be either a family doctor or a narrow-profile specialist. However, if the doctor does not yet work with the Electronic Healthcare System or there are technical difficulties related to the lack of electricity, etc. during the transition period, he/she will be able to write a paper prescription to the patient on a special form.
Dmytro Lurye EBA Health Care Committee Manager
The business community supports the work of the digitalization team of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on the transition to e-prescription, especially since it provides not only increased control over the circulation of medicines but also improved access to treatment, such as painkillers, which are covered by the second stage of the project. At the same time, an important component is to monitor the e-prescription and analyze its effectiveness, especially before making a final decision on the full transition to e-prescription for all prescription medicines.

With the issuance of an e-prescription, the patient will receive an SMS with the number of the electronic prescription and a unique confirmation code, which must be reported at the pharmacy to receive the prescribed drugs. The validity of such a prescription is 10 days from the date of its issuance.

Meanwhile, in case of a prolonged or chronic illness or if it is necessary to continue treatment, the patient can receive a repeat electronic prescription for the necessary medicines remotely by contacting his/her doctor by phone. The exception is the medicines prescribed for substitution maintenance therapy for people with mental and behavioral disorders due to opioid use. In this case, patients can receive an e-prescription only at a physical appointment.

As in the case of physical reception, when receiving an e-prescription remotely, the patient will receive an SMS message with the prescription number and its redemption code.

It is still possible to receive narcotic drugs by prescription in a pharmacy with the appropriate license to dispense narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursors. 

Like the e-prescription for antibiotics, the dispensing of narcotic (psychotropic) drugs in the e-healthcare system is another step in providing tools to control the dispensing of prescription drugs. However, more importantly, it is a new stage on the way to strengthening the health of Ukrainians, improving access to medicines, and Ukraine’s integration into the European community.

We thank the participants of the meeting for the opportunity to discuss current changes in the healthcare sector. The presentations of the speakers can be found at the links (e-prescription, palliative care), as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions.

View the recording of the meeting on the EBA YouTube channel:

 

 

If you have found a spelling error, please, notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.

Start
in the Telegram bot
Read articles. Share in social networks

Spelling error report

The following text will be sent to our editors: