The Ministry of Health is changing the procedure for issuing e-prescriptions and extending their validity. Find out which medicines can now be issued without a visit to a doctor and for which groups of medicines the prescription will be valid for three times longer

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The process of using e-prescriptions has become easier and more convenient, as according to the official press service of the Ministry of Health, Ukrainians can now receive their first e-prescription without visiting a doctor.

What is required to obtain an e-prescription without a visit to a doctor, what exceptions exist, and what medicines are subject to mandatory e-prescription, we will tell you in the article below.

How to get an e-prescription without visiting a doctor?

Previously, an e-prescription could only be obtained in case of acute or chronic illnesses or upon a face-to-face visit to a hospital. The new rules allow a patient to receive an e-prescription at the first online visit to a doctor.

That is, now the doctor has the right to decide to issue an electronic prescription for medicines without a personal visit to the patient, based on the data received on the current condition, complaints and information from the primary medical records. 

The exception is patients undergoing substitution maintenance therapy.

When issuing a new e-prescription, a doctor must enter data on the request into the electronic healthcare system. The decision to issue an electronic prescription must comply with industry standards in the field of healthcare approved by the Ministry of Health.

At the same time, a paper prescription continues to be valid in the territories where active hostilities are taking place and for the prescription of extemporaneous narcotic drugs (i.e., those manufactured in a pharmacy).

What medicines do I need an electronic prescription for?

Obtaining an electronic prescription is mandatory for the following groups of medicines:

1. Medicines included in the list of the state program "Affordable Medicines", which provides for free (or partial payment) of medicines. In particular, the program covers the treatment of

– cardiovascular diseases

– bronchial asthma;

– diabetes mellitus/non-diabetes mellitus and type II diabetes;

– mental and behavioral disorders;

– epilepsy, etc.

2. Strictly accountable medicines Strictly accountable medicines, including narcotic (psychotropic) medicines.

3. Antibiotics.

4. All other prescription medicines, e.g:

– anticonvulsants;

– Hormonal drugs (including contraceptives);

– drugs for the treatment of blood pressure or heart disease;

– certain painkillers, cough medicines, and sedatives.

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Which medicines have their e-prescription validity extended to 90 days?

According to the official announcement on the Ministry of Health website, the validity period of electronic prescriptions purchased by patients at their own expense is now 90 calendar days (instead of 30 days, as it was before). This innovation will allow Ukrainians to visit a doctor less often to renew their prescription and make it easier to redeem an e-prescription issued for a course of treatment of up to 90 days.

Please note! The validity of prescriptions for narcotic (psychotropic) medicines remains 10 days, and for medicines subject to reimbursement or dispensed on preferential terms, as well as for extemporaneous medicines, 30 calendar days.

At the same time, psychotropic medicines are dispensed exclusively by electronic prescription.

How do I redeem an e-prescription?

You can redeem your e-prescription at any pharmacy that works with the electronic healthcare system. You can find a suitable pharmacy on a special map that shows the locations of pharmacies that dispense medicines by e-prescription.

On the electronic map, you need to select the region and the name of the settlement where you live. After that, the dashboard will display a map with the markings of available pharmacies, as well as a list of addresses of pharmacies that dispense medicines by e-prescription.

According to the Ministry of Health, "these changes are intended to simplify the process of prescribing and dispensing prescription drugs and at the same time minimize the manifestations of self-medication."

We remind you! Healthcare provider Helsi has launched an urgent online consultation service where patients can receive an electronic prescription and a referral to a specialist. Read more about how it works and how to make an appointment in Ukraine and abroad in our previous article.

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