How will the list of medicines dispensed via the electronic prescription system be formed?

Earlier, it was reported that the Electronic Prescription system had been introduced in Tashkent and 15 districts (cities). The Ministry of Health has now provided explanations regarding the newly approved procedures for implementing the Electronic Prescription system.

It was noted that a meeting was held at the Ministry with the participation of leading doctors from public and private healthcare institutions, representatives of relevant agencies, and sector experts.

During the constructive dialogue, issues related to the implementation of the Electronic Prescription system were discussed, along with proposals to further improve certain procedures by taking into account the practical experience of medical professionals and the needs of patients.

In order to ensure regular communication among system specialists, a decision was made to establish an Expert Council under the Ministry of Health.

As part of the meeting, explanations were also provided on the current operating mechanisms of the Electronic Prescription system.

It was emphasized that connecting private healthcare institutions and doctors to the Electronic Prescription module is free of charge, and applications can be submitted via the phone number +998 (71) 202-50-00.

It was also specifically noted during the discussion that writing prescriptions, including electronic prescriptions, falls exclusively within the authority of doctors.

To ensure continuity of patient treatment, if a required medicine is not available at a particular medical institution, a doctor issues a prescription. The formalization of the relevant information and its entry into the electronic system is carried out by the pharmacist at the pharmacy.

As explained, when a citizen applies to a pharmacy, medicines are dispensed by the pharmacist based on an electronic prescription, a QR-coded document, or the individual’s personal identification number.

Foreign nationals are also entitled to register with public healthcare institutions under general conditions in order to obtain an electronic prescription.

To support the population, a 24/7 short-number Call Center (1003) is operating under the Ministry of Health. Citizens can use this service to receive consultations and explanations on all matters related to the Electronic Prescription system.

Bedridden patients, as well as individuals with chronic illnesses, may contact their family doctor by phone to receive consultations and electronic prescriptions. If a patient does not know their family doctor’s contact number, assistance will be provided through the 1003 Call Center.

Taking into account the proposals and feedback expressed during discussions with medical professionals and experts, the Ministry of Health adopted a relevant order aimed at strengthening and clarifying the mechanisms being implemented and determining the next phased steps for introducing the Electronic Prescription system.

According to the order:

In Tashkent and the 15 pilot districts (cities), the Electronic Prescription system will be introduced in stages, with doctors issuing electronic prescriptions based on the international nonproprietary names of medicines and entering them into the electronic system;

Where the necessary technical capabilities are available, medical and pharmaceutical organizations will be connected to the DMED information system free of charge, and their information systems will be integrated with the Ministry of Health’s digital platform;

The list of medicines dispensed through the Electronic Prescription system will be formed gradually, with separate lists prepared and approved at each stage by the Expert Council based on social risk factors and sectoral needs;

The first stage will mandate electronic prescriptions for systemic antibiotics, synthetic antibacterial drugs, and hormonal medicines;

The legal basis for doctors’ authority to issue electronic prescriptions will be strengthened, including the right to prescribe medicines not available at a specific medical institution, with subsequent entry of this information into the system by pharmacy pharmacists;

The procedure for dispensing prescription medicines in pharmacies based on electronic prescriptions, including via a patient’s personal identification number, will be established. At the same time, until the system is fully implemented and in emergency situations, the use of paper prescriptions will remain permitted as an exception;

A mechanism will be introduced allowing pharmacists, in the absence of an electronic prescription held by the patient or their representative, to enter the personal identification number based on an identity document (paper or electronic) and access the electronic prescription through the system in order to dispense the prescribed medicine;

The rights of citizens of Uzbekistan and foreign nationals to receive medical care and medicines, including in emergency situations, will be ensured, and the public will be regularly informed through official sources about the stages of system implementation and the lists of medicines;

Ongoing public awareness efforts and a feedback system will be established, including the continuous operation of the 1003 Call Center, enabling:
– bedridden and chronically ill patients to contact their family doctor;
– remote consultations with family doctors or, where appropriate, specialized medical professionals to obtain electronic prescriptions;
– the organization of patronage services and the provision of necessary medical care at home when indicated;

In addition, based on the decision of the attending physician, special procedures will apply for issuing prescriptions to patients with chronic illnesses:
– prescriptions for up to 60 days of treatment for medicines prescribed for chronic diseases and those with anabolic activity, coded in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases;
– prescriptions for up to 90 days of treatment for other ready-made medicines (up to 30 days within the reimbursement framework).

In such cases, the validity period of the electronic prescription and the corresponding QR code will be extended in line with the prescribed treatment course.

The Electronic Prescription system is primarily aimed at improving treatment safety, strengthening accountability in prescribing medicines, and regulating their circulation. The system is being introduced gradually, with ongoing monitoring and consideration of feedback from citizens and healthcare professionals.