The Algerian National Council of Pharmacists (CNOP) is calling on the Ministry of Health to accelerate the implementation of electronic prescriptions for psychotropic medications. This move aims to secure the medication circuit and better protect healthcare professionals. The CNOP emphasizes that electronic prescriptions are crucial for preventing the falsification of prescriptions, multiple prescriptions, and diversion of psychotropics into illicit circuits.
The CNOP has long advocated for electronic prescriptions as a way to enhance the security of the medication circuit and strengthen the responsibility of healthcare professionals. This measure is part of a broader effort to prevent the diversion of psychotropic substances from their medical use. According to the CNOP, the current system, which relies heavily on paper prescriptions, has shown its limitations in preventing fraudulent practices.
The call for electronic prescriptions comes amid persistent fraudulent practices, including the falsification of prescriptions, their abusive use, and the multiplication of prescriptions from different doctors. These practices highlight the need for a more secure system. The CNOP notes that electronic prescriptions would not only help combat trafficking and diversion but also better protect healthcare professionals, who often face aggression, as recently seen in the case of a pharmacist in Constantine.
The proposed electronic prescription system would allow for the authentication of prescriptions, verification of their validity, and tracking of prescriptions and deliveries nationwide. This would help prevent multiple prescriptions, abusive deliveries, and the use of falsified or stolen prescriptions. The system is expected to offer better protection to patients, prescribing doctors, and pharmacists involved in dispensing.
The CNOP recalls that the legislative foundation for this reform already exists, specifically through Law No. 23-05 of May 7, 2023. This law provides for the establishment of a national electronic registry of prescriptions for narcotics and psychotropic substances. The CNOP urges the authorities to translate this legal provision into an operational system by adopting the necessary regulatory texts and mobilizing the required technical resources.
To effectively implement the electronic prescription system, the CNOP calls for a concrete, coordinated approach with a precise implementation schedule. This includes accelerating the completion and deployment of the national electronic prescription platform. The CNOP also advocates for the involvement of medical and pharmaceutical representatives in defining the technical and regulatory modalities of the system's operation.
The CNOP emphasizes the importance of ensuring the system's interoperability between prescribers, pharmacies, and control structures. Additionally, secure mechanisms must be established to identify prescribing doctors, authenticate prescriptions, and record dispensed medications. By implementing these measures, Algeria aims to significantly enhance the security of psychotropic medication prescriptions and reduce related fraudulent activities.
Key points
- The Algerian National Council of Pharmacists urges the Ministry of Health to accelerate the implementation of electronic prescriptions for psychotropics.
- Electronic prescriptions aim to curb the falsification of prescriptions and diversion of psychotropics into illicit circuits.
- The implementation of electronic prescriptions is supported by existing legislation, specifically Law No. 23-05 of May 7, 2023.
