Lithuanian e-prescriptions are now available in Latvia, Poland
As of today, Lithuanian citizens can also buy prescription medicines in electronic prescriptions abroad - first in neighbouring Latvia and Poland, and soon in other European Union (EU) countries.
The Centre of Registers, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, has implemented a project for the development and implementation of the Lithuanian National e-Health Contact Centre Information System (LNHCC IS). The LNKC operates within the common European Union health data exchange infrastructure, which ensures cross-border exchange of e-prescriptions and patient summaries for EU citizens. The developed functionality allows Lithuania to exchange e-prescription data across the EU and also allows EU citizens who have arrived in Lithuania to use their e-prescriptions to obtain the medicines they need in our country.
With the launch of the new service, some foreign pharmacies may not be able to successfully connect to the cross-border e-prescription system immediately, so it is recommended to check with the pharmacy in question before you go to buy medicines in Latvia or Poland to find out if you can use a Lithuanian e-prescription.
"By opening up the possibility for Lithuanians to buy prescription medicines abroad, we are taking an important step towards an even stronger European Health Union. Lithuanian citizens who use prescription medicines while working, studying or travelling in EU countries will no longer need to carry a paper prescription, as an electronic prescription issued in Lithuania will be visible and valid in a pharmacy in a foreign country. Lithuanian citizens living abroad and receiving health services while visiting Lithuania will also be able to buy prescription medicines in Lithuanian pharmacies. This will reduce the inconvenience and risks of discontinuation of medicines for travellers. This European-wide project is being carried out in phases, starting with two neighbouring countries - Latvia and Poland - but the list of EU countries will be expanded steadily thereafter," said Oleg Niaksu, Vice-Minister for Health.
All reimbursable and non-reimbursable prescription medicines are available abroad, except narcotic, extemporaneous and nominal medicines. Until 31 March 2025, medicinal products in the pharmaceutical form of inhaled medicinal products, powders, powders for injection or infusion, or in liquid and soft pharmaceutical forms are not available. Paper prescriptions must continue to be issued for these pharmaceutical forms as well as for reimbursable medical devices.
According to Diana Vilytė, Director of Service Management at the Centre of Registers, this new functionality will open up even more opportunities to benefit from digital services.
"More than 1.5 million e-prescriptions are issued electronically every month in Lithuania, and a similar number of prescription medicines are dispensed to the population by the country's pharmacies. We are further advanced in digitising health services than many EU countries. This new functionality will not only allow residents to buy prescription medicines abroad, but also foreign nationals who have arrived in Lithuania to do the same", says D. Vilytė.
Start with neighbouring countries
The first EU country with which Lithuania has started exchanging e-prescription data is neighbouring Latvia, and from next week cooperation will start with Poland.
"In Lithuania, all the major pharmacy chains in the country are participating in this project, so it should not be difficult for Latvian or Polish citizens to buy prescription medicines in our country. Most Latvian and Polish pharmacies are also participating in the project, and neighbouring Estonia, as well as Spain and Finland, which are also popular with Lithuanian tourists, will soon be added to the list of cooperating countries. We hope that this will make it easier for people visiting abroad to buy prescription medicines," says D. Vilytė.
It is expected that the new options will not only better ensure the healthcare needs of Lithuanian citizens when travelling in the EU, but also raise the level of healthcare services provided to European citizens in Lithuania.
The project has been implemented with EU and state budget funds, with the technical solution implemented by Novian Systems for EUR 0.5 million, commissioned by the Centre of Registers.
According to the data of the Centre of Registers, in 2023, about 20 million e-prescriptions were issued in Lithuania, and about 18 million prescription medicines were dispensed in pharmacies with them.
For more information on the EU-wide project, which aims to ensure cross-border healthcare for EU citizens, and to find out which EU countries Lithuania already exchanges e-prescription data with, visit www.esveikata.lt.