Long-term outpatient prescriptions: Things to know for people with chronic diseases

Prescribing long-term outpatient treatment is convenient for patients in terms of time but can make patients subjective, easily missing early warning signs of complications.

Dr. Nguyen Quang Bay, Head of the Department of Endocrinology - Diabetes, Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi), said that long-term outpatient prescriptions (over 30 days according to new regulations of the Ministry of Health , applied from July 1, 2025) bring many advantages but also raise a number of issues related to disease control.

Firstly, patients return for check-ups less often. Some patients, when their condition is stable, become complacent, do not monitor their blood sugar and blood pressure, do not maintain exercise, eat irregularly, and easily stop taking their medication.

People with diabetes or other chronic diseases need to monitor their health and comply with medication prescribed for outpatient treatment.

PHOTO: LIEN CHAU

Second, not having regular check-ups can easily miss early warning signs of complications, or easily forget to schedule follow-up visits, leading to running out of medication. For people with multiple medical conditions, using many different types of medication, the possibility of running out of medication is even more likely to occur.

Dr. Nguyen Quang Bay noted: Chronic diseases require lifelong treatment. Stability is only temporary, if treatment is not maintained properly, the disease can worsen at any time. Therefore, patients need to read the prescription carefully before leaving the hospital, and ask immediately if there is anything unclear. Store medications carefully, especially insulin, which needs to be kept cold. Avoid mixing medications when there are many patients in the house. People with diabetes need to take or inject medication on time; you can set an alarm or keep the medication in a visible place to ensure compliance with treatment.

At the same time, it is necessary to maintain monitoring of health indicators such as blood sugar, blood pressure at home or at the medical station. When there are unusual symptoms, do not wait until the appointment date, go to the doctor immediately or call the doctor or hospital hotline. Make a follow-up appointment 3-5 days in advance to avoid late medication.

For cancer patients, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Cam Phuong, Director of the Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center - Bach Mai Hospital, said that outpatient prescriptions for more than 30 days, maximum 90 days, are currently issued for 3 diseases: thyroid cancer, breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

However, Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Cam Phuong emphasized: "Only when these diseases are treated stably will they be given regular medication every 3 months and no more than 90 days." But it is also important to note to staff, doctors and patients that, for cancer patients, it can progress, recur, and metastasize at any time, so if the patient has unusual symptoms, increased symptoms, cough, chest pain, discomfort, or any other abnormalities, they must come for an early examination, not wait until the medication is finished to see a doctor as scheduled.

At the same time, the doctor will decide to prescribe medication for 30, 60 or 90 days, or maybe 1-2 weeks earlier, depending on the most recent examination, as well as have appropriate indications.

The doctor is responsible for giving detailed instructions to the patient.

To serve outpatients with prescriptions for more than 30 days, Dr. Nguyen Quang Bay shared: At the hospital, relevant departments need to proactively adjust the process; prepare enough medicine to meet the number of dispensing increased by 2-3 times the normal; increase human resources in the examination, prescription and dispensing stages; upgrade the information technology system to ensure smooth communication between doctors - drug warehouse - pharmacy. At the same time, doctors are also responsible for providing detailed instructions to patients: which medicine can be prescribed for 30 - 60 - 90 days, make a specific appointment; provide hotline numbers, Zalo or the hospital's application so that patients can contact when having unusual symptoms or need to ask more questions.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/don-thuoc-ngoai-tru-dai-ngay-luu-y-can-biet-voi-nguoi-co-benh-chron-tinh-185250707204118561.htm