“Safety risk” – The Medical Association is against prescribing active ingredients

“In my daily professional life as a general practitioner, I repeatedly experience that different medications with the same active substance are tolerated differently by different additives. As a doctor who has known some of her patients for many years, I carefully consider which medications I prescribe (…),” Curia Vice President and President Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied explained in a press release.

The risk of confusion increases
She also points out that older patients in particular sometimes react with great uncertainty when something changes in the composition of their medication. “It goes so far that patients come to my practice completely distraught and very restless because their heart pill was pink for years and then suddenly it is blue (…).” If the usual appearance or names of the tablets were changed, confusion could arise.

The fact that doctors would only be allowed to prescribe active ingredients in the future is part of the ongoing negotiations between the federal and state governments and the announced healthcare reform. From now on, it is up to the pharmacies to decide which medicines they dispense. In fact, it is already possible for pharmacies to supply another medicine with the same active substance, if, for example, the prescribed medicine must be ordered first.

Step against medicine shortages
The government’s plans are a step against medicine shortages. In addition, as reported, an active ingredients warehouse will be set up for the winter. The Medical Association and the Ministry of Health currently have several points of contention, including the allocation of health insurance positions and an unplanned review of reform plans. A crisis meeting is planned for this Friday between Minister Rauch and the chairman of the Medical Association, Johannes Steinhart.