Ho Chi Minh City begins dispensing health insurance drugs for chronic diseases with prescriptions of more than 30 days

In the first days of implementing the dispensing of chronic disease drugs every 3 months according to the new circular of the Ministry of Health, both patients and hospitals were happy.

Patients queue up to receive health insurance drugs at District 1 Hospital (HCMC) - Photo: THU HIEN

The Ministry of Health has just issued a circular regulating prescriptions and the prescription of pharmaceuticals and biological products in outpatient treatment at medical examination and treatment facilities. Of which, 252 diseases belonging to 16 groups of diseases are prescribed for outpatient treatment for a maximum of 90 days.

Patients save time, effort and money

According to Tuoi Tre Online , on the morning of July 2, many hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City began dispensing medicine to chronic patients up to 3 months/time, such as District 1 Hospital, Thong Nhat Hospital, Hoc Mon District Hospital...

At District 1 Hospital, at 8am, the area where health insurance drugs are dispensed was already crowded with patients lining up early, waiting for their turn to be called to get their medicine. Most of them were elderly people with high blood pressure, diabetes, lipid disorders, etc.

Ms. HT (84 years old, living in Go Vap ward) said that she has had diabetes for nearly 20 years, and every 21 days she has to go to the hospital to get health insurance medicine. Every time she goes to the hospital, she has to travel by motorbike taxi, which costs nearly 200,000 VND to go and return. On many days, when there are many patients, she has to wait for half a day.

"This morning, after consulting with the doctor, he gave me a 30-day prescription instead of the previous 21 days, which is great. I have many illnesses so this is just the right amount of medicine, and it also saves time, effort, and money for the elderly," said Ms. T.

At the health insurance drug dispensing counter of Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital (HCMC), many patients, mostly elderly people, also sat in line waiting to get health insurance drugs.

Arriving at the hospital at 7am, at nearly 10:30am, Ms. PTH (73 years old, residing in Hoc Mon commune) held her health insurance medicine in her hand and went home.

After about 3 and a half hours of waiting in line for a chronic disease re-examination at Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital, Ms. PTH (73 years old, residing in Hoc Mon commune) received a 30-day supply of medication - Photo: XUAN MAI

Ms. H. said she had diabetes, metabolic disorders, and hyperlipidemia, so she had been monitored and examined by health insurance at Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital for many years. After the examination, the doctor prescribed health insurance medicine for Ms. H. to take for 30 days and scheduled a follow-up visit on July 30.

According to Ms. H., this time period of taking medicine and returning for check-ups is reasonable for her condition, in order to make timely adjustments if the disease unfortunately worsens.

"I am old, my illness is unstable, and my house is near the hospital, so it is reasonable to return for a check-up and receive medicine within 30 days. If my illness is stable, I think it is reasonable to get health insurance to provide medicine for 2-3 months," Ms. H. shared.

Also receiving health insurance medicine to take for 30 days from the morning of July 2, according to Mr. TVT (67 years old, living in Hoc Mon commune), there was a time when the doctor scheduled a follow-up visit and prescribed medicine for 21 days, so he went to the hospital more often.

Patients wait to receive health insurance medicine at Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital on the morning of July 2. Most patients take medicine and return for a check-up after 30 days - Photo: XUAN MAI

Patients and hospitals both benefit

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online , a representative of District 1 Hospital said that the hospital has implemented new regulations on extending the time to dispense medicine to chronic patients.

There were no difficulties in implementation. On the contrary, both patients and hospitals benefited, with patients having less trouble because they did not have to travel far.

At the hospital, doctors will decide the number of days that they can dispense medicine to patients. At the same time, it helps reduce hospital overload, and doctors have more time to care for, examine, and carefully inquire about the patient's condition as well as recommend disease prevention.

Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online on the same day, a representative of Hoc Mon Regional General Hospital said that they are in the process of developing a process to implement a circular regulating prescriptions and the prescription of chemical and biological drugs in outpatient treatment at medical examination and treatment facilities of the Ministry of Health.

"When the hospital is allowed to deploy, the most important thing is that the doctor will decide the time to take medicine and return for check-ups appropriate to the patient's condition, ensuring the safest and most convenient for the patient," he said.

Patients check health insurance drugs after receiving them at the counter - Photo: THU HIEN

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/tp-hcm-bat-dau-phat-thuoc-bao-hiem-y-te-benh-man-tinh-theo-don-hon-30-ngay-1019063.html