In recent days, the Ministry of Health enacted the Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention and Control Law, which establishes greater control over the marketing of antibiotics in all the country.
This, because the misuse of these medicinesgenerates a resistance to treat diseases, so the regulations seek that the sale of antibiotics be carried out in a controlled manner and under medical indication.
In this sense, henceforth, the antibiotics can only be sold with a filed prescriptionthat is to say that the doctor who prescribes an antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal or antiparasitic must give the patient an original prescription and a copy or duplicate to present it at the pharmacy and that the copy is filed there.
This measure came into force as of this Thursday, September 1, and applies to both the handwritten, electronic or digital prescription. In case of not presenting the prescription or the duplicate, the pharmacy will not be able to sell the medicine.
As detailed by the Ministry of Health, in addition to the duplicate, The document must contain the following information: name, surname, profession, registration number, address, telephone number and email, as appropriate, of the prescriber.
In addition, the prescription must contain the diagnosis of the patient, this in order to argue the reason why the patient is required. antibioticand in compliance with regulation 27,680 on the Prevention and Control of Antimicrobial Resistance, enacted on August 24.
The law “has a comprehensive approach of “One Health”, which implies addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) as a public health problem from the different disciplines of medical, veterinary and environmental sciences with the participation of all sectors and actors. involved”, according to the Health portfolio.
What is the purpose of the law
The regulations seek to “establish the necessary mechanisms to promote the prevention and control of AMR in the national territory”, which is why the ministry emphasized the importance of applying the law throughout the country.
In addition, the law aims to “optimize the use of this type of medicinesimprove awareness and knowledge on antimicrobial resistance, strengthen surveillance and research on this issue.