Patients’ information required to reduce antibiotic abuse

Beginning this month, doctors must write the identification number of a parent or supervisor on all prescriptions for outpatients under 72 months old, according to a new decree issued by Ministry of Health (MoH). – Photo sggp.org.vn

Cao Hung Thai, deputy head of Department of Medical Examination Management under MoH, told the Vietnam News Agency that for outpatients under 72 months old, parents or supervisors had to bring along identification cards when taking their children to medical facilities.

“Therefore, a prescription fully filled with the information of a child patient’s parent or supervisor, including address and identification number, allows any of his or her relatives to buy medicines at pharmacies,” he said.

According to Thai, the new policy aims to ensure safe use of medicine, help patients track their treatment expenses and uphold legality in medical services.

He also stressed the significance of the decree in managing the processing of giving prescriptions and selling medicines, especially when antibiotic abuse and overuse are still common in Vietnam.

“Most child patients under six years old are taken to hospital by their parents or relative so I think it is possible to include their information in patients’ prescriptions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Tien Dung, former head of Bach Mai Hospital Pediatric Department, opined that the policy was not really necessary as the State budget grants free health insurance cards for all children under six years old. Other pediatric doctors told the agency that they would follow the policy but also report to MoH when finding its drawbacks.

Moreover, the new decree on prescription and prescribing for outpatients also asks doctors to accurately fill items in prescriptions or in the medical records of patients and write patients’ addresses on their prescriptions.