In Mongolia, a recent controversy surrounding prescription requirements for medicines has drawn attention among both locals and expats. On November 13, health minister T. Munkhsaikhan addressed the topic of digitalization in the healthcare sector, clarifying that the list of prescription (Rx) and non-prescription (OTC) drugs remains unchanged. However, confusion and frustration have arisen due to challenges in obtaining necessary medications, particularly as the government has pushed for the use of electronic prescriptions.
According to Minister Munkhsaikhan, Mongolia’s digital prescription platform, emiinjor.mn, enables citizens to access information on non-prescription drugs. Patients who encounter difficulties in purchasing OTC medicines can call the 119 hotline for assistance. Additionally, he emphasized that the online prescription system aims to ensure safer use of medicines by monitoring interactions and quality. Although the system was initiated in 2020, only recently have some gaps been fully addressed.
However, citizens have shared their struggles on social media, highlighting the real-life impact of the system’s rollout. One resident, for instance, mentioned being unable to buy an effective medication for a cold without a prescription, and then facing issues with availability at pharmacies. Even after obtaining a doctor’s prescription, this individual found that the specified medication was out of stock at multiple pharmacies, requiring repeated visits. This disconnect between healthcare providers and pharmacies has raised questions about the accessibility and efficiency of the current system, with some questioning why obtaining medications should be so complex in Mongolia when it’s simpler in other countries.
Another Facebook post shed light on the strict guidelines surrounding prescriptions in Mongolia. Under current regulations, prescriptions must include specific patient details, diagnosis, dosage instructions, and the prescribing doctor’s information. Any minor error can lead to a fine for both the pharmacist and the doctor. This has led to frustrations, particularly when parents must re-enter a child’s treatment details in various formats to meet these stringent requirements.
As the digital prescription system continues to evolve, there are hopes that these issues will be resolved, particularly to make essential medications more accessible and the process smoother for all residents, including expats in Mongolia. While the government’s digital push aims for greater safety and quality control, it also needs to address the realities of availability and convenience to serve its citizens effectively.
