New rules for electronic prescribing of psychotropic medications to take effect on April 1

As part of a broader reform of psychotropic medication regulation, amendments have been made to the rules governing the electronic prescribing of such medicines.

According to the Ministry of Health, the new rules will come into force on April 1 and are aimed at tightening controls over the circulation of psychotropic medications, as well as preventing their misuse and inappropriate consumption.

“Under the amendments, the maximum quantity of medication that may be dispensed on a single prescription has been set at no more than a 14-day supply for adult patients, and no more than a 30-day supply for minors. A new prescription may only be issued once the patient has no more than a five-day supply remaining.

The same rules stipulate that the daily dose of a prescribed psychotropic medication must not exceed the maximum limit specified in the product’s prescribing information. The clinical necessity of prescribing a particular medication must be documented by the treating physician in the patient’s medical records.

When a dosage adjustment is necessary, the physician must consider the amount of medication the patient currently has left. The regulations also establish rules for situations in which medication has been lost, damaged, or destroyed,” the statement reads.

According to the Ministry of Health, the amendments follow violations identified by the Agency for the Regulation of Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities, in which psychotropic medications were found, in some cases, to have been prescribed without adequate clinical justification, proper diagnosis, or consultation, including at excessive doses and by physicians not holding the requisite authorisation.

“It is publicly known that the Professional Development Council has already imposed professional liability on ten medical practitioners in connection with these violations. Council members agreed that it was necessary to refine and strengthen oversight mechanisms to mitigate risks.

The prevention of such violations remains a priority for the Ministry of Health, and supervision of the prescribing and dispensing of psychotropic medications will be further intensified,” the Ministry of Health stated.