KUWAIT: Minister of Health Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi has issued a directive concerning the automatic linking of prescription data for prescribed medicines dispensed by private sector pharmacies.

Article One

An electronic system for the health ministry will be established in coordination between the assistant undersecretary for drug and food control affairs and the assistant undersecretary for digital health affairs. This system will facilitate the linking of all prescription data for prescribed medicines and preparations dispensed by private sector pharmacies.

Article Two

The medicines inspection department is tasked with monitoring and ensuring the regularity of prescription registrations for medicines by private sector pharmacies in the electronic system.

Article Three

All private sector pharmacies licensed to trade in prescribed medicine and regulate their circulation must register in the electronic system, following the specified conditions and procedures: Create a dedicated account for each private pharmacy in the electronic system. The pharmacy license holder and the pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy are jointly responsible for all prescription data uploaded to the pharmacy’s account.

The pharmacist in charge must:

(A) Ensure that prescription data for prescribed medicines and preparations meet all the necessary conditions outlined in the prescriptions for these substances and the procedures for their circulation, in accordance with ministerial decisions, before dispensing to the patient.

(B) Register and upload each prescription of the substances and preparations dispensed in the pharmacy to the electronic system.

(C)Verify that prescriptions received by the pharmacy are issued by doctors registered in the Ministry’s electronic system. No prescription may be dispensed unless it meets the required conditions.

(D) Download the prescription onto the electronic system after dispensing, ensuring clarity. A photocopy in PDF format should be created, bearing the pharmacist’s seal and the pharmacy’s seal, and stored with the original copy in the pharmacy. The data should match the records in the pharmacy’s register of prescribed medicines and preparations, with this process completed on the same date as the prescription’s dispensation.

Article Four

The pharmacy license holder and the pharmacist responsible for dispensing the prescription are legally accountable for all prescription data uploaded to the pharmacy’s account in the electronic system.

Article Five

Licenses, permits and approvals for these pharmacies will not be issued or renewed in the event of non-compliance with the provisions outlined in this resolution.