Compensated medicines and medical devices can be now prescribed through the ePrescription system. Specifically, 167 common names can be prescribed, which is 1,237 trade names and 57 models of medical devices. Compared to the Total Nomenclature of Medicines and Medical Devices, the ePrescription covers only 4.07% of the medicines and 0.11% of the devices. Experts of the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) recommend extending the system so as to cover to all the medicines and medical devices and so that all the patients are offered the convenience of benefiting from the advantages of this information system, IPN reports.
“A positive move, in my opinion, was the fact that, before the ePrescription was launched, the list of professionals who have the right to prescribe compensated medicines and medical devices was expanded – it is a step forward and a help for patients. Also, it was envisaged the possibility of using the prescription through a representative, including the pharmacist. Thus, when someone asks to have the prescription made up, the delegated person can correct or introduce into the information system the name of the person who actually used the issued prescription,” Olga Tumuruc, associate expert in digital transformation of the IPRE, said during public discussions.
According to the expert, the figures of the National Health Insurance Company speak of an extensive use of the system. During one month of operation, over 220,000 prescriptions were issued and practically 90% of the pharmaceutical units that are part of this system were used. Over 146,000 people benefited from compensated medicines and devices. “If we compare this figure with the total number of beneficiaries of compensated medicines and devices, which is of 860,000, we have a figure of 17% utilization in just one month. In our opinion, it is a positive and promising trend. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to better satisfy the needs of patients,” stated Olga Tumuruc.
In her opinion, a more systemic approach is needed in the field of e-health so that the ePrescription produces its effects in synergy with the other information systems in the medical sector. It is also necessary to revise the regulations on the basis of which doctors organize their work so as to exclude the duplication of efforts. “This means resistance because, when the same task, the same form has to be completed both electronically and on paper, it is clear that priority will be given to the paper as it is our habit and because we have been working like this for decades and hundreds of years. The effect is the professionals refuse to adopt an information solution. This can overcome by offering adjusted working regulations,” said the expert.
The event was organized by IPRE, with the joint support of the projects “Policy Advisory Fund” and “E-Government and Digitalization in the Eastern Partnership Countries”, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by GIZ Moldova.
