Some seniors have to go to the doctor twice to get a prescription entitling them to free drugs. This happens when the specialist does not have the authority to issue free prescriptions with code "S" for seniors 65 plus, experts from the Federation of the Zielonogórskie Agreement point out.
Doctor, I'm just getting a prescription....
Published May 21, 2024 08:01
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Such opportunities are still not available to physicians who accept private appointments, as well as psychiatrists and hospice doctors working under contracts with the National Health Service. Doctors of the Zielonogórski Agreement have long pointed out that this is a major inconvenience for patients and involves two doctors for the same activity.
At first, only PCPs were given the authority to issue prescriptions entitling patients to free drugs. This generated a lot of problems, because after a specialist consultation or hospitalization, patients were sent back to POZ offices for a prescription. In time, "S" prescriptions were allowed in specialist clinics with contracts with the National Health Fund and in hospitals. However, there is still a group of doctors who are not authorized to issue prescriptions for free drugs to seniors.
- A change in this regard is necessary. Such authorizations should be extended to all doctors issuing prescriptions to seniors - regardless of where they are employed and what specialization they have," says Wojciech Pacholicki, vice president of the Zielonogórski Agreement. - The current situation is a hassle for patients and unnecessary involvement of two doctors, for the same activity. - A patient should not have to chase from doctor to doctor just to get a prescription, and a family medicine specialist should not duplicate an activity performed by another doctor. If our demands are taken into account, everyone will benefit," he adds.
Source: Federation Zielonogórskie Porozumienie Zielonogórskie
