New Rules for Prescription of Psychotropic Medications to Come into Effect on April 1

According to the Ministry of Health, as part of the "Psychotropic Medications Reform", changes have been made to the rules for issuing electronic prescriptions for medications. The new rules will come into effect on April 1. According to the ministry, the changes aim to "tighten control over the circulation of psychotropic medications, prevent their misuse and improper use".

The new rules set the maximum number of prescription medications to be issued: for an adult patient - no more than 14 days' supply, and for a minor - no more than 30 days' supply. A new prescription is allowed if the patient has no more than 5 days' supply left.

"In the same way, the daily dose of a prescribed psychotropic medication should not exceed the maximum limit specified in the instructions for the same medication. The need for prescribing a specific medication must be substantiated by the doctor in the patient's medical history. In case of a need to change the dosage, the doctor must take into account the amount of medication remaining with the patient. The regulation also defines the rules for cases when the medication is lost, damaged or destroyed.

The changes are related to violations identified by the Medical and Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, when psychotropic medications were prescribed in a number of cases without proper justification, diagnosis and consultation, including in excessive doses and by doctors without appropriate permits.

The public is aware that the Professional Development Council has already imposed professional liability on 10 doctors for the above violations. The members of the Council agreed that in order to reduce risks, it was necessary to further refine control mechanisms "And tightening.

Prevention of such violations remains a priority for the Ministry of Health, and supervision over the process of prescribing and dispensing psychotropic medications will be further strengthened," the statement said.