The tightening of the sales of opioids and the relief of the sale of stimulants have been approved

The Ministry of Health, together with hospital ticket offices, promotes a program to reduce the use of opioids – drugs that, with uncontrolled use, can cause dependence – as well as to prevent addiction to these drugs.

In accordance with the rules approved by the Parliamentary Commission, opioid drugs will be issued only according to electronic recipes, which will enhance control over the issuance of drugs. Only in exceptional cases, a handwritten prescription will be issued, and for a limited amount of the drug, in order to provide treatment for those who need it.

To enhance control over the issuance of drugs, facilitate the current work of pharmacies and reduce opioid leakage to an unregulated market, pharmacies will go to work through a computerized interface regarding drugs defined as “hazardous substances”. Computerized management, unlike the current manual control, is a significant regulatory relief in the required management of pharmacies and will allow effective control and management of opioid drugs.

Double issuance of drugs in pharmacies will be prevented: Pharmacy opioid preparations will see the previous issues of these drugs, including drugs issued according to private prescriptions of doctors with private pharmacies, this will prevent double issuing of drugs.

Private and network pharmacies will have to inform hospital cash desks through a computerized interface about the issuance of opioids so that this information is included in the patient’s medical card at the hospital cash desk, and so that family doctors can coordinate drug treatment of patients.

At the same time, relief for patients will be introduced, according to the prescription of the doctor taking stimulants for correcting symptoms of ADHD: these drugs can be purchased in an amount sufficient for two months, instead of one, as is still accepted.