Ministry of Health clarifies rules on dispensing antibiotics by electronic prescription

The Ministry of Health has commented on reports circulating on social media claiming that, starting from January 15, 2026, antibiotics would be dispensed in pharmacies exclusively on the basis of electronic prescriptions.

Photo: The Ministry of Health

According to the ministry, on December 15, 2025, an order was adopted establishing the next phased procedure for the introduction of the “Electronic prescription” system. The order stipulates that the prescribing of medicines that are dispensed by prescription in medical institutions is to be gradually transitioned to an electronic prescription format.

It was noted that, at the initial stage, a procedure has been introduced under which antibiotics, systemically acting synthetic antibacterial medicines, as well as systemically acting hormonal medicines are prescribed on the basis of electronic prescriptions and dispensed in pharmacies via electronic prescriptions. At present, these medicines are in practice being dispensed strictly in accordance with this procedure through electronic prescriptions.

The ministry also emphasized that the document was registered with the Ministry of Justice on December 15, 2025, and that the procedure has been in effect since December 16, 2025 – the date on which the order entered into force.