252 patients were prescribed outpatient medication for more than 30 days

252 diseases, disease groups including many common chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension will be prescribed outpatient drugs for more than 30 days. Some cases can be up to 90 days, according to the doctor's assessment.

Prescribe long-term medication, no need for monthly check-ups

One of the new points on outpatient prescriptions at medical examination and treatment facilities regulated by the Ministry of Health is that from July 2025, prescriptions can be used for more than 30 days, instead of the maximum of 30 days as before. In some cases, prescribers can decide to prescribe for up to 90 days.

In chronic diseases prescribed for more than 30 days, many common diseases are related to blood pressure; cardiovascular; endocrine, and metabolism.

High blood pressure, diabetes among more than 250 diseases, disease groups prescribed outpatient for more than 30 days

PHOTO: LIEN CHAU

Specifically, according to the latest regulations in Circular 26/2025/TT-BYT issued by the Ministry of Health , there are 252 diseases in the list of diseases and groups of diseases that are eligible for outpatient prescriptions for more than 30 days.

These include the following disease groups: genitourinary system; pregnancy, organ transplantation, digestive system (gastric ulcers, autoimmune hepatitis); skin and tissue; respiratory system (bronchial asthma, interstitial lung diseases; fungal pneumonia, etc.); circulatory system diseases (including hypertension, complicated hypertension); endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (diabetes, adrenal disorders, precocious puberty, etc.). In addition, there are groups of neurological diseases, some cancers, blood, neurological and eye diseases that are also prescribed for outpatient use for more than 30 days.

According to Circular 26, in addition to the list of 252 diseases mentioned above, the prescriber decides the number of days of use of each drug in the prescription, based on the clinical condition and stability of the patient to prescribe the drug with the maximum number of days of use of each drug not exceeding 90 days.

According to experts from the Ministry of Health, prescribing for more than 30 days helps patients avoid having to return for monthly check-ups. However, people with chronic diseases need to return to a medical facility for a check-up immediately if they have unusual health symptoms, rather than waiting to finish their outpatient prescription.

Notes on treatment compliance

Regarding the prescription of specially managed drugs, including narcotic drugs for pain relief for cancer patients, the Ministry of Health stipulates: in addition to applying general requirements, the prescription of narcotic drugs for pain relief for cancer patients must meet the following requirements: have an outpatient treatment record.

The prescriber instructs the patient or the patient's representative to write a commitment to use the drug according to regulations. Each prescription is for a maximum of 30 days.

Before issuing the above circular, the Ministry of Health has piloted long-term outpatient prescriptions (over 30 days) for a number of chronic diseases to evaluate safety, control treatment compliance, possible complications; and the impact of prescription adjustments on patients with chronic diseases related to periodic re-examination.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/252-benh-duoc-ke-don-thuoc-ngoai-tru-tren-30-ngay-185250702085423913.htm