People’s Hospital, which allows patients to get prescriptions without the actual signature of a doctor does not seem in full compliance with the above rules, although an electronic signature is expected to appear on the prescription. Further, the absence of innovative measures here will significantly affect the development of the sale of prescription drugs online.
Absence of nationwide reimbursement policy
The PRC has not yet established a nationwide reimbursement policy for pharmaceuticals and medical treatments.
The ‘Opinion relating to Medical Settlement Services between different regions of Basic Medical Insurance’ issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (Ren She Bu Fa (2009) No.190) on 31 December 2009 provides three steps to achieve settlement:
- upgrade the level of reimbursement gradually to cities at the regional level in one province;
- implement settlement between different regions within one province; and
- implement settlement between different provinces.
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