This year’s Lunar New Year is a full 10-day holiday.  During the period, hospitals may limit or even suspend the services.  To help patients with chronic conditions to obtain their medicines during the holidays, the NHIA announced that holders of repeat prescriptions for chronic conditions are able to order their repeat prescriptions 10 days in advance if their refill day falls in the holiday period.

Dr Lee Po-Chang, the Director General of the NHIA, expressed that according to the Regulations Governing the NHI Care, doctors are able to issue repeat prescriptions to patients with chronic but stable conditions with the medications for up to 90 days.  This include one prescription after seeing a doctor and two repeat prescriptions without the need to see a doctor.  Patients can get 30-day doses each time.  Also, it is necessary for patients to put in their order of repeat prescriptions no earlier than 10 days before the end of their current medications.

This regulation is temporarily relaxed due to the upcoming long holidays.  Patients whose refill day falls between January 20 and 29 are eligible to order their refills starting from January 10.  Dr Lee reminded patients to ensure that their medications are not disrupted during the holiday season.

【2023-01-05 / Liberty Times】