The Ministry of Health in the Czech Republic is exploring a new system for dispensing medication that involves counting pills instead of providing whole packages. The proposed change aims to improve the availability of medicines and reduce waste in the healthcare system. Under the new system, pharmacists would count the pills and provide patients with a medication vial containing the exact number of tablets needed, along with a printed package insert.

While the new system could enhance medication availability, it would also introduce additional work for pharmacies and potentially result in longer waiting times for patients. Pharmacies that lack the necessary facilities for preparing individualized doses would continue to provide medications in their original packaging. Countries like Canada have already implemented similar systems, where prescriptions are sent directly to designated pharmacies for preparation, and patients receive their medication the next day.

However, implementing this new dispensing system in the Czech Republic would require changes to existing legislation, as it is currently not permissible to dispense medication with compromised primary packaging. The Ministry of Health acknowledges that the proposed system would entail additional work and compensation for pharmacies. Furthermore, the distribution of medications under the new system would need to be evenly spread across pharmacies to avoid potential shortages for specific patients.

Critics of the proposal argue that the new system may not effectively address medication shortages or promote rational drug use. The current packaging of medications, designed to correspond to the duration of treatment, helps prevent wastage. The Ministry of Health plans to conduct an analysis and hold discussions on the proposed changes before incorporating them into the existing medication legislation, which is currently undergoing revision.

The proposed amendment to the medication law also includes new obligations for manufacturers to maintain a sufficient supply of drugs on a monthly or bimonthly basis to address shortages. However, manufacturers have expressed concerns about this requirement. Pharmacies would also be responsible for notifying authorities about the risks associated with the depletion of specific medications. The Minister of Health aims for the amendment to be swiftly passed and implemented by October, pending the necessary discussions and analysis.

Article by Prague Forum