The Joint Prevention and Control Committee issued a document requiring that long-term prescriptions for chronic diseases be issued by medical institutions within 12 weeks at a time

According to the official website of the National Health Commission, in order to ensure the long-term medication needs of patients with chronic diseases, the joint prevention and control mechanism issued the "Notice on Doing a Good Job in the Current Management of Chronic Disease Long-term Medication Prescriptions" (hereinafter referred to as the "Notice").

The "Notice" emphasizes that all localities must implement the requirements of the "Notice of the National Health Commission on Strengthening Medical Service Management to Meet the Basic Medical Needs of the People during the Epidemic", strengthen daily medical service management, and encourage the formulation and improvement of long-term prescription management policies for chronic disease patients based on local conditions. It should clarify the list of diseases for which long-term prescriptions can be issued, the scope of medication, management systems, safety notices and other requirements, and reduce the number of times patients have to pick up their medicines.

The "Notice" proposes that medical institutions should take practical and effective measures to meet the medical service needs of chronic patients who require long-term medication (including special drugs such as narcotic drugs, psychotropic drugs, etc.), special treatments such as hemodialysis, etc. For chronic patients with stable conditions, relevant drugs for a period of up to 12 weeks can be prescribed at a time; necessary tests and routine follow-up examinations, etc. can be guided by patients in the nearest medical institution, and remote guidance can be strengthened through various means such as telephone follow-up; medication education should be strengthened for patients using long-term prescriptions to increase their knowledge of rational medication, improve their self-medication management capabilities and medication compliance, and inform patients that if they experience any discomfort during the medication process, they should seek medical attention in a timely manner.

The "Notice" shows that all regions and departments should further strengthen the guidance and supervision of medical institutions in accordance with the requirements of this notice. Relevant departments and responsible persons who fail to organize or support this work, as well as those who fail to implement the work measures in place, will be criticized and held accountable.