The Ministry of Health has published online on its website the new circular aimed at “countering the improper use and illegal spread of fentanyl and its analogues”, issued through the General Directorate of Medical Devices and Drugs, Central Narcotics Office. The document “strengthens controls on prescriptions” of the analgesic and “introduces an operational decalogue for pharmacies and healthcare professionals”explains the ministry.
The circular
The circular, we read on the ministerial portal, invites “all healthcare facilities, pharmacies and professional associations” to “strengthen controls on prescriptions of drugs containing fentanyl and analogues and provides operational indications pending the complete dematerialisation of prescriptions, a key tool for preventing theft, falsification and improper use”.
The document reiterates “the importance of collaboration between health workers, institutions and law enforcement agencies to prevent the improper and non-therapeutic use of narcotic substances and guarantee the safety of the pharmaceutical supply chain”, and indicates “among the proposed measures a decalogue of good practices for pharmacieswhich includes verifying the authenticity of prescriptions, ascertaining the patient’s identity, checking the adequacy of prescriptions and promptly reporting any irregularities or suspected fraud”.
The rules
In more detail, here are the rules that “pharmacies are invited to comply with in the presence of prescriptions containing fentanyl or analogues, benzodiazepines etc. especially if presented on paper prescription”, we read in the circular:
“1) Carefully check the authenticity of the prescription, evaluating the quality of the print, the doctor’s signature, the stamp, any corrections or inconsistencies;
2) Ascertain the identity of the patient, pursuant to art. 45 of Presidential Decree 309/901 (where applicable);
3) Check the existence of previous prescriptions from the same doctor, reporting any inconsistent or suspicious situations (where applicable);
4) Contact the prescribing doctor in case of doubts about the legitimacy or appropriateness of the prescription or in case of doubts about the identity of the doctor, verify its effectiveness at the following link: https://portale.fnomceo.it/cerca-prof/index.php;
5) Check the adequacy of the prescribed quantity based on the dosage (where applicable);
6) Monitor any unjustified repetition of requests from the same patient;
7) Punctually record the dispensing in the provided information systems, where available, also to support control activities;
8) Immediately report to the competent authorities any cases of suspected falsification, loss, theft or damage to prescriptions or medicine;
9) Evaluate whether to proceed with dispensing in case of doubts about the authenticity or appropriateness of the prescription;
10) Carefully store the documentation, ensuring full traceability and making it available in case of checks or investigations”.
