A cross-border prescription is a great convenience for people who travel around the European Union or work in one of the countries belonging to the community. It can be realized in a country other than the one in which it was issued. What does the cross-border prescription look like, who can issue it and to whom, what are the rules for its implementation?
Cross-border prescription - what is it?
A cross-border prescription is a prescription that allows the patient to buy a drug throughout the European Union, regardless of the country in which he or she lives or stays. This means, for example, that someone who has been issued a prescription by a Polish doctor can fulfill it, for example, during holidays in Spain, and a person who lives permanently in Italy or Croatia can buy a drug in Poland.
It is worth knowing, however, that not every drug can be purchased in this way - on a cross-border prescription, a doctor cannot prescribe a drug from the "Rpw" category, i.e. containing psychotropic substances or narcotic drugs.
Cross-border prescription - what does it look like?
The cross-border prescription looks completely different than the printout we receive at the Polish clinic. Its appearance and form, as well as the data that absolutely must be on it, are defined by EU law.
The cross-border prescription must contain:
- first name or names and surname of the patient
- patient's date of birth
- name or names and surname of the person issuing the prescription
- professional title of the person issuing the prescription
- contact details for the person issuing the prescription (e-mail, telephone or fax number with international prefix)
- details of the place where the he alth service is provided with the exact address. If the doctor issuing the prescription conducts a medical practice only at the place of call - address of the place where the calls are received and the place where medical documentation is stored and the indication "Poland" or the abbreviation "PL"
- commonly used (international) name or trade name of the medicinal product
- drug form
- dose (strength)
- quantity
- dosage method
- date of issue of the prescription
- handwritten signature of the person issuing it (on the obverse)
The prescription does not have to be stampeddoctor (if his data is printed), REGON number or bar codes.
So far, the cross-border prescription is in a paper form - in some countries digital cross-border prescriptions are already being implemented.
Cross-border prescription - implementation rules
A cross-border prescription is valid for 30 days from the date of issue - after this time, you will not be able to buy drugs on the basis of it.
It can be realized in any pharmacy in a European Union country, also in the country where it was issued (i.e. already in Poland, after returning from vacation). You do not need to show your ID or passport or provide any data except your name and address.
Cross-border prescription - payment for drugs
Medicines prescribed on a cross-border prescription can only be purchased for full payment and this is independent of the discounts available to the patient in Poland. When you fulfill such a prescription abroad (or in Poland), you will pay 100 percent. drug values.
If you have the appropriate rights, you can apply for a refund by submitting an application to the branch of the National He alth Fund (competent for the place of residence). In such a request, you must provide certain data.
The application for reimbursement of a cross-border prescription must include:
- name and surname and date of birth,
- PESEL number,
- home address and possibly a correspondence address,
- original or copy of the cross-border prescription
- date of purchase of drugs and country where the prescription was filled
- Refund amount requested
You can apply for a refund up to the level of the reimbursement you are en titled to (i.e. a full refund, if you are en titled to it free of charge in Poland, and up to the lump sum, 30% or 50%, depending on the drug limit).
Refunds will not be granted to those who buy a drug abroad that is reimbursed in Poland only under the drug program. As the Ministry of He alth explains, the mere purchase of drugs is not a guaranteed service - this service under the drug program is much broader and includes tests qualifying for the program, drug administration, patient care directly related to drug administration, as well as constant monitoring of treatment progress.