New decree requires more information of child patients

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. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

Cao Hung Thai, Deputy Director of the MoH’s Department of Medical Examination Management, said 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.

Thai said 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./.

VNA