From the beginning of next year, doctors will be able to prescribe drugs for more than half a year, that is, for a period of 6-12 months. However, in order to ensure proper and rational use of drugs in the long term, after 6 months, drugs can be dispensed according to a valid prescription after a pharmaceutical care service provided by a pharmacist.
Currently, the doctor can prescribe compensatory drugs for no longer than six months. After the introduction of the new pharmaceutical care service, the doctor will be able to prescribe treatment for a period longer than 6 months, but not longer than 12 months. Such prescriptions with longer validity will be able to be prescribed to adult patients who have already been using the drugs prescribed for them for a certain period of time, after assessing the health status and taking into account treatment descriptions, the need for research, and other aspects. However, after 6 months, the pharmacist will have to provide a pharmaceutical care service regarding the continued dispensing of prescription drugs and decide whether the patient can continue to be prescribed drugs or be referred for a doctor's consultation.
The pharmaceutical care service is an individual consultation, during which the pharmacist will discuss with the patient the use of medication and the management of a chronic disease, and will explain to the patient how to solve medication use problems. If no problems are identified or problems with the use of medication are identified, which the pharmacist can resolve with the patient during an individual consultation, the medication will be dispensed for the remainder of the prescription period. If the pharmacist assesses that the chronic disease is not being managed properly, he will refer the patient to a doctor for consultation.
"Irrational use of medicines is an obstacle to ensuring quality healthcare services, improving the quality of life of the population and reducing treatment costs. With the implementation of a pharmaceutical care service, pharmacists will be able to apply more of their competencies, monitor patient adherence to treatment recommendations, educate the patient and involve them more in the medication treatment process. Rational use of medicines, short queues at doctors will also be encouraged. Doctors will be able to devote more time to the diagnosis and treatment of acute, complex diseases," says Anželika Oraitė, director of the Pharmaceutical Policy Department of the Ministry of Health.
A. Oraitė draws attention to the data published by the World Health Organization that more than 50 percent patients use medicines incorrectly - they do not follow the doctors' instructions, self-medicate, etc.
"A pharmacist is the most easily accessible competent healthcare specialist for the resident, who can provide the resident with the necessary information about medications, monitor compliance with the prescribed treatment plan and promote the rational use of medications, provide advice, help clarify health problems, and send them to a doctor for consultation in a timely manner." This is especially important for patients with chronic diseases who take a lot of medication," says A. Oraitė.
The order takes effect from 2025. January 1
The implementation of the new pharmaceutical care service for the continuous dispensing of prescription drugs in the pharmacy is closely related to the development of E. health and the modernization of the E. prescription subsystem. The changes will ensure that information about the patient's treatment progress is available to both the prescribing physician and the pharmacist providing the pharmaceutical care service. The modernization is planned to last until 2025. January 1 month, and from then on conditions will be created to provide continuous dispensing of medicinal products after the provision of the pharmaceutical care service.
