Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu announced that a new system is being developed to simplify the process of obtaining medication from pharmacies for patients using prescription drugs.
According to the regulation under preparation, patients who have had a medication report issued by a specialist physician and whose treatment has not changed will be able to obtain their medication from the pharmacy for the duration of the report without having to visit a doctor to have a new prescription written.
Memişoğlu stated that the practice aims to prevent elderly patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses who use medication regularly, from having to repeatedly visit healthcare facilities solely for prescriptions. It was reported that the regulation has not yet entered into force and preparations are ongoing.
We requested this from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, and they are in the process of preparation. Let's say a report is written. You have a 6-month medication report. Once the medication is prescribed by the doctor, you become able to get it directly from the pharmacy until there is a change regarding that medication.
Minister Memişoğlu said that the planned system aims to allow medication to be obtained from pharmacies in monthly doses for the duration of the medication report.
HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICES ARE ALSO BEING RENEWED
Memişoğlu announced that a new restructuring is also underway for home healthcare services. Accordingly, home health coordination centers have been established to ensure the coordinated operation of home health, remote health, palliative care, and family medicine services.
Stating that the new system is currently being tested in two cities, Memişoğlu expressed that thanks to the electronic infrastructure, healthcare teams can monitor the patient's condition, and patients discharged from palliative care or those in need of regular support can be monitored at home.
The Ministry also reported that medication, medical supplies, and disability health reports for individuals over the age of 80 have begun to be issued in their homes. Memişoğlu also said that the scope of medication that family physicians can prescribe has been expanded, and 1,859 additional medications have been made available for prescription by family physicians.
The Ministry of Health also conveyed that palliative critical care areas have been created for patients who have completed intensive care treatment but cannot leave the hospital due to being dependent on machines or requiring frequent health support. It was stated that the palliative care capacity in Turkey has reached 8,618 beds.
News Source: 12punto
