Electronic Medical Prescriptions Become Mandatory in Tbilisi

From January 1, 2018, electronic prescriptions became mandatory in Tbilisi clinics and hospitals. This means that any medical institutions that violate the new rule, will be fined, and the Health Ministry will no longer cooperate with them.

More than 1000 doctors have already been trained in the new method in Tbilisi. Electronic and video instructions for the use of e-recipes were also created.

The Health Ministry says the training will be held in other regions as well, where the mandatory e-prescriptions will be introduced gradually.

Under the new system, pharmacies are also obliged to use electronic prescriptions.

Patients will now only need an ID card when visiting a clinic or pharmacy. Doctors will be able to directly send their patients’ prescription details to pharmacy computers, with the goal of cutting down the number of clerical mistakes for patients and saving time.

The changes were approved both by the patients and by medical representatives. They say the new system is the most efficient way of prescribing medicines.

By Thea Morrison