A draft amendment to the regulation, introducing changes in the rules for issuing prescriptions for drugs in the category of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, category 1 precursors and preparations containing these drugs or substances, has been submitted for public consultation. Prescriptions for them will be able to be issued only in electronic form, and in the case of psychotropic drugs - only after a personal examination of the patient.
Psychotropic drugs not by prescriber. Patient Ombudsman: there have even been situations that ended tragically
Published May 4, 2023 11:09
The change is related to measures announced by the Health Ministry to curb the practice of so-called "prescribing machines," through which, after filling out a short form and paying a fee, one can obtain a prescription for almost any drug within minutes. According to Patient Ombudsman Bartlomiej Chmielowiec, the procedure is very dangerous, especially when it involves potent drugs.
- Unfortunately, we received cases concerning situations in which, without a personal visit, consultation and detailed interview, very strong drugs of either an addictive or psychotropic nature were prescribed within minutes. They were given to patients who, in our opinion, such drugs should never have been given. We also had such a situation in which, we suspect, a patient's death occurred as a result of taking such drugs," says Bartlomiej Chmielowiec in an interview with Medexpress.
As he points out, the ability to issue prescriptions remotely is, in principle, a beneficial convenience. However, the solution needs to be sealed so that it works safely for patients.
- Teleportation itself and the use of IT facilities are, of course, by all means desirable and very beneficial. This is the case, for example, in the situation of patients with established medical treatment. If we have a treatment plan and have run out of medication, then extending the prescription without going to an in-person visit is such a beneficial solution," comments Chmielowiec.
