13.10.2026 13:35
The Ministry of Health is working on a regulation that will remove the requirement for patients using medications covered by a medical report to go back to the doctor every month to have a prescription written. With the new system, after the doctor writes the first prescription, patients will be able to obtain their medications directly from pharmacies for the duration of the report. The implementation, which is targeted to be put into effect by the end of the year, is expected to initially cover patients with hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and COPD.
The Ministry of Health has taken action to facilitate access to healthcare services for patients, especially those with chronic conditions who must use medication continuously.
According to the plan announced by Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu, patients with a medication report will be able to obtain the same medication for the duration of the report's validity after the doctor issues the first prescription, without having it prescribed again.
Thus, it is aimed to reduce the need for citizens who have to go to the hospital at certain intervals just to have medication prescribed to apply to healthcare institutions.
MINISTER MEMİŞOĞLU EXPLAINED HOW THE SYSTEM WILL WORK
Minister of Health Kemal Memişoğlu explained the system being worked on with these words: "Let's say a report was written. You have a 6-month medication report. Once the medication is prescribed by the doctor, until there is a change regarding that medication, you become able to get it directly from the pharmacy. In other words, you no longer need to go to the doctor again and have a second prescription issued."
Memişoğlu stated that they aim to create a system that will enable patients to obtain their medications from pharmacies at the specified monthly doses throughout the report period.
IN THE FIRST STAGE, 4 DISEASE GROUPS STAND OUT
It has not yet been finalized which diseases and medication groups the regulation will cover. Speaking to NTV, Secretary General of the Turkish Pharmacists' Association Taner Ercanlı said that patients with hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and COPD could be included in the practice first.
Ercanlı said, "In the first stage, especially in disease groups such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and COPD, our pharmacists and the system can operate much more healthily. It can be started with these, and processes can be monitored. Afterwards, it can be expanded for other disease groups."
Ercanlı's statements do not mean that these diseases are definitely included in the scope. The final scope is expected to become clear with the regulation to be prepared by the Ministry.
SUPPORT FROM PHARMACISTS FOR THE NEW SYSTEM
Secretary General of the Turkish Pharmacists' Association Ercanlı stated that pharmacies providing services at more than 31,000 points across Turkey have the infrastructure to carry out the new practice.
Stating that it can be prevented for chronic patients to apply to healthcare institutions just to renew prescriptions, Ercanlı said that pharmacists can ease the burden on the healthcare system in this process.
CONVENIENCE WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE USING MORE THAN ONE MEDICATION
The new regulation is also aimed at providing convenience for citizens who have more than one medication report due to different diseases.
Minister Memişoğlu stated that they want to reduce the difficulties experienced by patients who have to have prescriptions written at different times, and drew attention to the importance of especially elderly citizens being able to access their medications without going to the hospital.
WHEN WILL THE REGULATION ENTER INTO FORCE?
The new system is targeted to be implemented by the end of 2026. However, the exact date when the practice will start and the list of medications to be covered have not yet been announced.
Until the regulation enters into force, patients must comply with the current prescription and medication procurement rules. With the start of the new practice, it is aimed for patients whose report period continues to be able to obtain directly from pharmacies, at the specified doses, the medications that are not changed by the doctor.