Starting from January 1, new rules for prescribing prescriptions for medications will come into effect in the TRNC

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the TRNC has announced that a new prescription issuance system by state and freelance doctors will be implemented on January 1, 2024.

"Our department is preparing to launch a completely new system that will make the insured healthier and facilitate access to their entitled benefits," the Ministry of Labor statement said.

Changes will affect medications prescribed by prescriptions obtained in state medical institutions and by private doctors.

As before, from January 1, 2024, prescriptions issued in state hospitals will be provided directly at pharmacies under a discount agreement. Pensioners will receive medicines by paying VAT and the equivalent difference, if any, while insured employees will receive medicines by paying VAT, the equivalent difference, and 20% of the medicine's price. Thus, insured citizens will be able to use their benefits without the need to contact the branch and office heads of the insurance company.

If, before January 1, 2024, the insured person applies to regional and office controllers with a prescription, a receipt, and a bill for medicines purchased from a pharmacy that does not have a contract, the reimbursement amount will be transferred to the insured person's bank account declared to the department under legal legislation.

From January 1, 2024, insured individuals will be able to receive prescriptions for medications for chronic diseases for up to 6 months, both in state hospitals and from private doctors. They will have the opportunity to purchase medicines at pharmacies without the need to print a prescription every month.

Insured citizens over 40 and their dependents will be able to buy up to 8 discounted medications per month. Insured individuals under 40 will be able to purchase up to four types of medications monthly.

The rules will apply to prescriptions from all doctors, regardless of whether they have agreements with the department.

Doctors who want to issue prescriptions through the online system will be able to obtain this opportunity for free by contacting the department.

Pharmacists who are bound by guarantee commitments and whose ability to issue prescriptions online has been annulled will be able to apply to the department, and if the Board of Directors approves, they will be able to issue prescriptions online again by signing a new agreement.