Dispensing narcotic drugs by e-prescription: top questions from doctors and pharmacists

As a reminder, in October, pharmacies started selling narcotic (psychotropic) drugs only based on an electronic prescription. 

Thus, patients undergoing complex treatment and in need of pain relief can obtain an e-prescription for medicines more conveniently, including remotely.

Today, we will answer the most frequently asked questions of medical professionals and pharmacists regarding the above-mentioned rule.

1. Will a paper prescription be valid for narcotic (psychotropic) drugs?

Yes, the use of paper prescription forms is possible in several cases

for prescribing extemporaneous drugs (i.e. those that are manufactured in a pharmacy);

in the absence of technical capability to issue/release an electronic prescription in the territories where active hostilities are taking place (e.g., in the absence of light, communication, etc.);

in case of technical issues in the operation of the central EHRD database, which makes it impossible to issue e-prescriptions (users will be informed about this on the monitoring page https://status.ehealth.gov.ua/).

Thus, if a patient receives a paper prescription, the pharmacist must dispense the medicine and keep the paper form according to the previously used procedure.

2. In which pharmacy can I redeem a paper prescription issued by a medical institution located in the area of active hostilities?

In such cases, the supply of narcotic (psychotropic) medicinal products based on paper prescriptions is carried out by those pharmacies located in the territories of active hostilities or temporarily occupied.

3. Is it possible to prescribe paper if there is no electricity in the institution?

A doctor can use a paper prescription form to prescribe narcotic (psychotropic) medicines in areas where active hostilities are taking place (for example, in the absence of electricity, communication, etc.).

In cases other than the above, a doctor must issue an electronic prescription. Note that in the event of a power outage, an e-prescription can be issued remotely after the power is restored to the facility.

Also note that an e-prescription for palliative care patients can be issued immediately for the amount of medicine needed for a 15-day course of treatment (i.e., two prescriptions can be issued within a month, including remotely).  

4. Does a doctor need to duplicate a prescription on a paper form when issuing an e-prescription for preferential narcotic drugs?

There is no need to do so. It is only important to fill in all the information in the electronic prescription correctly. In particular, in the "Signature" field, you must indicate the percentage of reimbursement of the cost of the medicine (50% or 100%), the EDRPOU and the name of the institution, its location, as well as the name and initials of the doctor. With this information, the pharmacist will be able to dispense medicines under the program.

5. How can a pharmacist dispense preferential narcotic drugs to a patient at the expense of local budgets?

First of all, to find out under which program to dispense medicines, the pharmacist should pay attention to the "Program" field in the e-prescription. Preferential narcotic drugs at the expense of local budgets are dispensed in the EHR under the program "Narcotic and psychotropic drugs on preferential terms according to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1303 dated August 17, 1998".

Further, in the Signature field of the e-prescription, the pharmacist can find all the necessary information to record the dispensing of preferential narcotic (psychotropic) drugs and the repayment of the prescription.

6. Does a doctor have to print an information certificate and certify it with his or her own signature and seal?

No, it is not necessary, as this certificate is an auxiliary document for the patient, which the doctor can print for the patient if necessary (at the patient's request). 

At the same time, the certificate also contains the appropriate code and barcode for prescription redemption for patients who chose the document authentication method when registering with the EHS. Thus, patients without a phone will be able to redeem the prescription and purchase the necessary medicines at the pharmacy.

Only if the patient plans to travel abroad and will be transporting narcotic (psychotropic) drugs with them, when issuing an e-prescription, the doctor must print an information certificate and certify it with his/her signature and the doctor's seal (at the patient's request).