FREE MEDICINE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 298, 13 September 1941, Page 11

FREE MEDICINE

Supplies For Extended Periods DOCTORS’ PROCEDURE The procedure to be adopted by medical practitioners in connexion with the special authorization of pharmaceutical supplies for extended periods is outlined in a circular letter issued by the Department of Health to doctors. This states that the provision for extended supplies was made to meet the case of the patient suffering from some chronic stabilized condition who required continual supplies of medicine, but who did not need frequent medical supervision. It was not intended to apply to patients who were under regular supervision by their medical adviser. To assist in the smooth working of the benefit, the adherence of doctors to the following procedure is requested:— . “(1) Any registered medical practitioner may prescribe, free of cost to the patient, up to one month’s supply of medicine. If the patient is under regular medical supervision the necessary prescriptions should -be renewed at intervals of not more than one month. “(2) Where the patient requires to continue taking the medicine for more than one month, but will not be seen by his doctor except at longer'periods, the necessary authorization may be recommended and the recommendation should state: (a) The condition for which the patient is 'being treated; (b) the intervals at which he or she will be seen by a doctor; (c) the length of time for which the supply of medicine is recommended.” It is stated that the policy of the department was to restrict these authorizations to periods not exceeding six months, and except in very exceptional cases recommendations should not be made for more than six months. If medical practitioners would co-oper-ate in the manner indicated, much unnecessary correspondence between themselves and the department would be avoided, and the purpose of the benefits would be achieved, namely, the free supply of medicine to those requiring it.