From 1-7, chronic patients are provided with outpatient medication for more than 30 days.

Starting July 1, many patients with chronic diseases will no longer have to return to the hospital every month to get medicine as before, but will be given medicine for over 30 days.

Patients with health insurance at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: DUYEN PHAN

252 patients were given medicine for over 30 days

According to a new circular issued by the Ministry of Health on June 30, patients with certain chronic diseases on the permitted list will be prescribed outpatient medication for more than 30 days, instead of the current maximum limit of 30 days.

This is considered a breakthrough change, removing inconveniences that have lasted for many years, especially for patients in remote areas, the elderly or people with difficulty traveling.

Accordingly, the list of diseases and groups of diseases that are applied for outpatient prescriptions for more than 30 days is issued by the Ministry of Health. Specifically, there are 16 groups of diseases including infectious and parasitic diseases; blood diseases; mental diseases; endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, etc.

Common chronic diseases that are prescribed for more than 30 days include hypertension, diabetes, asthma, COPD, anxiety disorders, depression, etc., to chronic hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia, blood and immune diseases such as Thalassemia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as some gynecological diseases in adolescents such as menorrhagia. This list has a total of 252 diseases.

Speaking with Tuoi Tre Online , Mr. Vuong Anh Duong, deputy director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health), said the new policy comes from reality and the real needs of patients.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Ministry of Health temporarily extended the time to dispense medicine to limit crowds, the results were very positive: patients reduced the number of visits to the doctor, saving time and money, while still ensuring the quality of treatment.

On that basis, the Ministry of Health has coordinated with more than 20 end-line hospitals in many specialties (endocrinology, pediatrics, geriatrics, neurology, psychiatry, etc.) to develop a list of chronic diseases that can be prescribed long-term medication.

Who will be given long-term medication?

Mr. Duong said: "Not every disease listed will automatically be prescribed medication for more than 30 days. Doctors must carefully assess each patient's condition before deciding on the number of days to provide medication, which can be 30, 60 or 90 days."

The Circular also clearly stipulates that prescribers must be legally responsible for their prescriptions, ensuring that they are consistent with the diagnosis, the stability of the disease, and the patient's ability to self-monitor treatment at home.

In case the medicine has not been used up but the disease progresses abnormally, or the patient cannot return for a follow-up examination on time, it is mandatory to return to the medical facility for a doctor to evaluate and adjust the prescription if necessary.

Mr. Duong also said that the Ministry of Health will synchronously implement many solutions to ensure patient safety.

"Long-term prescriptions are only applied to stable diseases, clear treatment regimens, safe drugs and do not require frequent testing. At the same time, patients also need to be carefully instructed to monitor their health and detect early unwanted side effects, if any," he said.

With this new policy, it is hoped that millions of chronic patients will reduce the burden of travel, save time and costs, while still maintaining the quality of long-term health care.

WILLOW

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tu-1-7-nguoi-benh-man-tinh-duoc-cap-thuoc-ngoai-tru-tren-30-ngay-20250701114639991.htm