Pharmacists will not be penalized for system errors on annual prescriptions

- For many months now, a computer system has been responsible for calculating the amount of drug to be dispensed to the patient in the case of so-called annual prescriptions. Since it happens to generate errors, we have postulated to the Ministry of Health that such occurrences should not result in penalties for pharmacies or pharmacists for erroneously filled prescriptions. We have no influence on the processes happening in the IT system, and we don't want to be held responsible for that," Marek Tomkow explained in an interview with Medexpress.

As announced by the head of the Health Ministry, changes have been made to the Health Ministry's regulation on the general terms and conditions of prescription contracts and the framework model prescription contract, which in practice abolish the pharmacist's liability for such errors. The issue is financial liability in the form of a fine or reimbursement for the drug in question. The amendment to the regulation was published in the Official Gazette on August 26.

- A very good decision by the Minister, and above all a very fair solution. First of all, the amendment clearly writes that the fulfillment of such prescriptions, even if they had an error, does not constitute a breach of contract. Secondly, a pharmacy cannot be penalized for having filled a prescription according to what the system prompted, even if it was in error. And finally, the third, very important message - this has been done retrospectively, that is, since the introduction of the regulations," adds the NIA president.

In his opinion, this gives pharmacists a great sense of security.

- It also confirms that the state and the National Health Service are not only lurking for our mistakes, but are taking a very responsible approach. In short: our mistakes - our responsibility, other people's mistakes - not our responsibility. We worked on this for half a year, convincing the Minister that this is also a condition that will allow us to safely fill these prescriptions and thus ensure that patients have access to medicines without fear that we will be penalized for this," stresses Marek Tomkow.