Ministry of Health Answers Common Questions About Electronic Prescriptions

In response to various concerns expressed by citizens on different platforms regarding electronic prescriptions, the Ministry of Health has outlined the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Are all medications prescribed electronically?
No, this applies to medications provided free of charge or under preferential conditions: systemic action (oral medications, syrups, tablets, and injection forms) antimicrobial medications (antibiotics, antifungals, antituberculars, antivirals), immunological serums and immunoglobulins, vaccines, as well as hormonal and misoprostol-containing medications.

How can I obtain the medication prescribed by my doctor with an electronic prescription?
Any pharmacy should be connected to the “Armed” system and have the capability to sell all types of prescription medications. Citizens can approach any pharmacy and present a form of identification (passport, ID card, or a public service number). The pharmacy staff will log into the system to view the electronic prescription issued by the doctor, including the name and quantity of the medication, and will release it from the system. Based on their financial means, citizens can also purchase the necessary quantity for the entire treatment course partially.

Where can I familiarize myself with the list of medications prescribed by prescription?
During non-working hours at night, if a citizen requires a prescription, what should they do? This decision does not limit the acquisition of medications necessary for urgent or symptomatic treatment. This means that medications prescribed electronically are exclusively those indicated after diagnosis and necessary examinations. For example, antibiotics for bronchitis or tonsillitis are prescribed only after an examination, when the doctor confirms that the diagnosis is bacterial and not viral.

How will medication supply be ensured at pharmacies during power or internet outages?
In the event of technical disruptions, prescriptions will temporarily be released in a paper format. After resolving the technical issue, it will be entered back into the system on the same day when access to the system is restored. Additionally, for ensuring the preservation of medications, maintaining a specific temperature regime, and providing tax receipts, pharmacies must have alternative sources of electricity, which means pharmacies need to be supplied with electricity to carry out their operations.

What is the timeframe for acquiring a doctor's prescription from the pharmacy?
The prescription is valid for one-time dispensing medications for 30 days, while for multiple dispensing medications, it is 180 days.

For chronic diseases (for example, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer), can a doctor prescribe medication indefinitely?
No indefinite prescriptions are issued, as every disease—acute, chronic, or acute exacerbation—must be monitored by a physician and defined for dynamic control. There are conditions where long-term medications are prescribed, and a prescription can be issued for multiple dispensing medications for up to 180 days. A doctor can prescribe medication for 180 days, but issue prescriptions every 30 days for dynamic health monitoring.

For example, if a doctor prescribes medication for 10 days, but the patient decides to purchase only for 5 days, can the pharmacy staff provide a lesser amount?
A patient has the right to purchase a partial amount or choose not to buy the prescription at all; upon expiration, the prescription will be canceled. However, such a question should not arise since if the doctor has prescribed medication for 10 days, it should be taken accordingly. In the case of antibiotics, for instance, antibiotic-resistant forms arise due to unnecessary usage and violating the prescribed dosage.

Will I have to pay every time for an examination and consultation with a doctor for prescriptions?
After the implementation of electronic prescriptions, nothing changes in the treatment process. Consultations with a doctor in the primary health care sector are free. If a doctor requires examinations and visits once a month or every six months, that should be ensured. However, if specialist consultations are needed, they can issue a prescription for 6 months or provide a consultation sheet, in which the prescribed medication is issued electronically every month by the attending therapist.

Doctor-patient relationships need to be clearly defined, and any prescription must be made—whether it's for examinations or pharmacological treatment.

Will it be possible to obtain medications prescribed by electronic prescriptions from online pharmacies?
Purchases from online pharmacies will be conducted as they currently are: personal data is provided, the availability of the prescription is checked in the system, the pharmacist activates the prescription, and the medication is dispensed for delivery.