There will be a significant change in prescription practices. A pilot scheme is set to be trialled in dental clinics starting in October. This pilot aims, within six months of its implementation, to remove product trade and commercial names from prescriptions, leaving only the ingredient names. The NHIA will assess the results and then decide whether to expand the scheme to other departments. This announcement has sparked disputes among healthcare providers and pharmacists. Some doctors are concerned that this scheme incentivizes pharmacies to stock the cheapest generic products, potentially affecting patients' rights. However, the pharmacists' association pointed out that it is an international trend to use ingredient names instead of trade or commercial names in prescriptions.
Dr Su Yi-Feng expressed that this dramatic reform in prescription practices will not only forbid the use of product trade names and commercial names, but will also remove the notation of “the item is irreplaceable” from prescriptions. In the future, if doctors insist on using a specific product, they will have to provide reasons on the prescription. This change is tantamount to encouraging pharmacies to purchase the cheapest generic products, said Dr Su.
Mr Huang Chin-Shun, the president of the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations, noted that it is an international trend to use only ingredient names in prescriptions. He also pointed out that the generic drugs purchased by community pharmacies are, in fact, priced by the NHIA.
Mr Liu Lin-Yi of the NHIA expressed that promoting the use of generic drugs is both a national policy and an international trend. Generic drugs have the same ingredients, dosage form, and efficacy as their reference original drugs. Their quality is examined and guaranteed by the TFDA.
Dr Wu Ming-Shiang, the Superintendent of NTUH, pointed out that although NTUH uses many quality generic drugs, doctors there are accustomed to prescribing original drugs. The decisions of the Pharmaceutical Management Committee also result in a higher percentage of original drug use compared to other medical centers. Dr Wu suggested that the authorities should strictly control the quality of generic drugs to gain the public's confidence and increase their willingness to use these drugs.
Dr Wu expressed that it is a global trend to specify only ingredient names on prescriptions. The pilot program is being implemented in dental clinics because they use fewer drugs than general practices. This scheme aims to encourage the use of generic drugs. In fact, the domestic drug industry in Taiwan has made significant progress and even supplies overseas generic markets.
Dr Hung Tzu-Jen, the vice superintendent of Shin-Kong Memorial Hospital, expressed that while this change is well-intentioned and may improve the drug shortage situation, doctors and pharmacists will need to spend more time explaining it to patients. The authorities should also consider the public's acceptance of alternative medicines. The pilot scheme in dental clinics will help reveal the public's response.
Dr Hung continued that it is not possible to change the public's medication habits overnight. As large hospitals still tend to use original drugs, this could drive many patients to seek treatment at medical centers despite higher co-payment charges. This shift could undermine the effectiveness of the graded healthcare system.
【2024-07-30 / United Daily News】
