Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadi has disclosed that the estimated cost for the design, supply, and implementation of the electronic prescription system is 5.335 million dinars.
However, he emphasized that the pricing of such systems can differ based on technical specifications and brand, as determined by a dedicated technical study, reports Al-Rai daily.
In response to a query from MP Abdulaziz Al-Saqabi, Al-Awadi explained that the projected cost was determined by evaluating technical proposals from various companies, culminating in the aforementioned amount, aligned with the ministry’s requirements.
Al-Awadi highlighted that the primary factor contributing to the postponement and delay of the electronic prescription project, known as “Wasfa,” was the impact caused by the global pandemic, coupled with the procedural delays involved in issuing and awarding tenders.
The tender process commenced on April 27, 2020, and the electronic prescription tender document is accessible through the Central Agency for Public Tenders.
He further elucidated that such systems necessitate a team dedicated to continuous development, offering technical support, training, and establishing links between hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, medical warehouses, and regulatory authorities.
He went on to say, as these systems require integration with global and local platforms, the expertise in this domain is currently lacking within the Ministry of Health.
Consequently, the ministry initiated a public tender to procure this system. The proposed system encompasses features that can prevent unwarranted expenditures, minimize medication errors, and curtail the wastage of resources.
The urgency to implement this system stems from the need to curb financial waste and enhance patient safety. This involves linking the prescription process with drug dispensing and regulatory entities.
The overarching objective of the project is to establish a unified electronic platform for editing and dispensing medical prescriptions, as well as managing medication stocks.
This comprehensive system is slated for implementation across all hospitals, health centers, and primary care facilities under the Ministry of Health. Notably, the ministry issued the electronic prescription tender on October 3, 2021, and the tender documentation is accessible via the Tenders Committee.
Following are the five features of electronic prescription system
— Preventing wastage and wrong dispensing of medicines
— Reducing waste of public money
— Ensuring the safety of patients by linking it with the regulatory authorities
— A unified system for editing and dispensing prescriptions
— Managing drug stocks in hospitals and centers
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