Why is this important
The introduction of an electronic prescription system changes the entire chain of prescription and dispensing of medications, making it more transparent and controllable. Such a system reduces the risk of errors, falsifications, and unjustified prescriptions, which directly affects patients’ safety. Electronic accounting also allows the state to more effectively control the pharmaceutical market, including the movement of prescription drugs and the operation of pharmacies and medical institutions.
What happened
- Starting December 10th, an experiment to implement the “Electronic Prescription” system on the DMED platform began in Tashkent and 15 other cities.
- By the end of 2026, it is planned to connect all medical institutions and pharmacies of the country to the system.
- From January 2027, the complete transition to electronic prescriptions will become mandatory.
- The mechanism for accounting for potent and psychotropic drugs is planned to be developed by January 1, 2027.
- The country has registered 12,817 prescription drugs, including antibiotics, hormonal agents, psychotropic drugs, analgin, diclofenac, ascorbic acid, 70% ethyl alcohol, and lidocaine.
- The Ministry of Health stated that the system will reduce unjustified prescriptions, limit polypragmasy, increase market transparency, and identify contraband products.
New system
- The system includes the procedure for issuing a prescription through the patient’s electronic medical record with the formation of a QR code and an electronic signature.
- Pharmacists will check the electronic prescription and record the dispensing of medications in the system.
- For patients after admission to the hospital, prescriptions are issued based on their discharge or medical history.
- A list of mandatory data, which must be contained in the electronic prescription, has been established.
- Only medications registered in Uzbekistan are permitted.
- Control over the issuance of prescriptions in medical institutions is entrusted to the Ministry of Health, and in pharmacies — to the Center for the Safety of Pharmaceutical Products.
Electronic prescription
The electronic prescription must contain:
- data of the medical organization and its license;
- PINI, full name and patient’s date of birth;
- diagnosis according to ICD;
- Name of the preparation, dosage, scheme and duration of administration;
- prescription number and date of issue;
- data of the attending physician.
Context
- The DMED electronic system is already being used for digital medical records, which allows for the integration of prescriptions into existing infrastructure.
- Electronic prescriptions allow for the prompt detection of abuses, including the unjustified prescription of antibiotics or the issuance of unregistered medications.
- Patients will be able to receive prescriptions faster and without the risk of losing a paper document.
- Medical institutions and pharmacies will operate in a single digital environment, which will reduce the number of manual operations and reduce the likelihood of errors.
