Electronic prescription for all prescription drugs: what’s changing

Ask yourself a question and try to answer it frankly: what makes you, despite the obvious risks, seek advice on the use of drugs from a friend, a neighbor, because “they had the same thing and it helped them”? Because it is much faster than going to the doctor; you feel more comfortable with your neighbor – she sympathizes and won’t say anything you don’t like. During the Soviet era, you had to make an appointment with a doctor, stand in a long line, get an appointment where (let’s be honest) you rarely felt comfortable. Therefore, the sense of panacea that the doctor gave you was nullified by the form in which the medical field was presented. Modern medicine is based on the principles of humanism. In addition to the conveniences brought by digital processes in the field of health care, we also have a huge factor of humanity, trust between the doctor and the patient – today you can contact your family doctor by phone and get qualified advice from a specialist who has the relevant knowledge and experience. Prescription drugs are called that for a reason. Only a doctor, after weighing all the circumstances, can determine which drugs you need. And here it should be recalled that prescription drugs are called so because they require a prescription. Prescription drugs are effective in the treatment of many diseases, they help prevent the development or alleviate the symptoms of the disease. However, improper use of these drugs can harm the patient’s health. In order to make the process of prescribing drugs more efficient and modern, it is planned to introduce an electronic prescription for all prescription drugs. The electronic prescription will be extended to medicinal products registered in Ukraine, which are subject to a doctor’s prescription and which the patient buys at his own expense. This list includes in particular: antibiotics; anticonvulsants; hormonal drugs (including contraceptives); drugs for the treatment of blood pressure, heart diseases; some anthelmintic drugs; some vitamins; blood thinners; antidepressants, neuroleptics and relaxants; steroid medicines; even some of the usual pain, cough, antihistamine and sedative medicines. At the same time, I would like to note that the Ministry of Health does not make all prescription drugs available and does not expand the list of prescription drugs. All medicines, which were previously subject to a doctor’s prescription, will be available from April, in particular, by electronic prescription. Question? Not a question. I will try to preemptively answer the questions that will be raised in connection with the introduction of electronic prescriptions for all prescription drugs. Should such changes be made during wartime? Dispensing of prescription drugs has always had to be carried out according to a doctor’s prescription, this requirement is not new, since April only a convenient digital tool – an electronic prescription – has been added. We understand that during martial law there are risks of lack of light and communication, limiting access to the electronic health care system, that is why e-prescription will be introduced gradually with the possibility of using paper prescription forms if necessary. Extension to all prescription drugs is the next logical step in the introduction of e-prescription. Previously, the e-prescription for antibiotics and narcotic (psychotropic) drugs started working in November. This is the inclusion of Ukraine in world standards. What to do if there are no family doctors in the settlement to get an appointment? To obtain an electronic prescription, you do not need to have a declaration from a family doctor. Any doctor who is responsible for your treatment – a surgeon, therapist, cardiologist or oncologist – can write a prescription for a prescription drug. It can be a doctor of a public or private institution, or a doctor-FOP. There are no restrictions. If you were temporarily forced to change your place of residence, you can get a prescription from any doctor in the facility that is available to you at your place of stay. What to do if medicine is needed urgently? If you feel unwell, be sure to consult a doctor. Only the doctor at the appointment will be able to assess your state of health, conduct a clinical diagnosis and prescribe treatment that will be effective and safe for you. Do not avoid or delay treatment! There are many more advantages. You will not spend money, health and time on medicines that you do not need, buying medicines based on the recommendations of friends or commercials. Thanks to the digitization of the prescription of drugs in the electronic health care system, the attending physician, with your consent, will be able to view historical data, learn about concomitant diseases, taking other medications and other information necessary to prescribe effective treatment. And over time – to monitor the results of treatment and, if necessary, create a treatment plan. Only a doctor knows exactly what you need, because he can assess your health and conduct the necessary tests. The mechanism of the electronic prescription provides for the prescription of the active substance itself, without reference to the brand of the medicinal product. You will decide on the purchase of this or that tool at your own discretion and according to your own budget. And the doctor, having digital tools, will be able to provide medical care faster and more efficiently! And most importantly: treatment is a joint responsibility of the doctor and the patient. That is why it is important to consult a doctor and follow his recommendations if you feel unwell. Maria Karchevych, Deputy Minister of Health for Digital Development, specially for UP. Life Publications in the “View” section are not editorial articles and reflect exclusively the author’s point of view.



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