DDB: Doctors can still issue electronic prescriptions

MANILA, Philippines — Physicians can still issue electronic prescriptions for dangerous drugs to their patients even if the COVID-19 state of calamity has not been extended, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) said.

In an advisory issued on Feb. 1, DDB chairman Catalino Cuy said the use of electronic prescription and ordinary prescription forms in prescribing dangerous drugs is still allowed as the state of public health emergency under Presidential Proclamation No. 922 Series of 2020 is still in effect.

“The advisories are not affected by the non-extension of the state of calamity covered by Presidential Proclamation No. 57 Series of 2022,” Cuy said.

In a phone interview, Cuy said they issued the advisory in response to inquiries from doctors if they can still issue electronic prescriptions for dangerous drugs to their clients.

“The public health emergency, that was the basis of allowing electronic prescriptions,” he said.

The DDB first issued the advisory in March 2020 when the government under then president Rodrigo Duterte imposed a lockdown due to COVID-19, wherein face-to-face transactions were restricted to avoid the spread of the virus, which then had no vaccines.

It said a patient or an authorized representative may present an electronic prescription for dangerous drugs in drugstores and pharmacies.

Cuy said the policy will continue until the government lifts the state of public health emergency.