Common Questions About Electronic Prescriptions: Part 2

The Ministry of Health has presented the second part of information regarding frequently asked questions about electronic prescriptions. You can read the first part here, and the second is summarized below.

1. How can elderly people and individuals with mobility issues benefit from electronic prescriptions?
Patients or a person authorized by them (with the patient's written consent) can approach a pharmacy and receive medication without additional paperwork. For patients who already have an authorized person and that person continues to be authorized, the doctor records their name in the electronic system.

2. Will the prescription of hormonal medications through electronic prescriptions cause inconvenience, for example, for individuals with endocrine disorders who require long-term hormonal medications?
Problems should not arise since the same prescriptions can be issued long-term by the doctor. Prescriptions can be issued by both the specialist who performed the examination and prescribed the medication, as well as by the general practitioner through a consultation slip. Patient management is conducted by both the specialist and their doctor in this case.

3. Will there be endless queues in polyclinics to obtain electronic prescriptions?
Queues in polyclinics are managed through an electronic system. Currently, all polyclinics in Yerevan have an online appointment system via an application, and citizens can also call the reception department in advance to make an appointment for a specified time. Work is ongoing with regional polyclinics to organize online appointments, which will also help in managing queues.

4. Is it possible not to obtain a prescription online for chronic diseases?
Any chronic illness requires dynamic management, and patients with chronic diseases also require both consultations and examinations from time to time, therefore, issuing medications without examining the patient is not permitted. Additionally, there is a long-term prescription format, wherein medications are prescribed for up to 180 days at once.

5. Will patient information confidentiality be violated?
Pharmacy staff do not see the patient's diagnosis but only the patient's data and the prescribed dosage, which was also reflected in the paper prescription before. The electronic prescription does not contain any additional examinations or information.