The All-Russian Union of Patients asked Mishustin to ensure the delivery of medications for patients with chronic diseases

The All-Russian Union of Patients (VSP) asked Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to ensure home delivery of medications from pharmacies to benefit patients with chronic diseases.

According to Kommersant, which has read the VSP letter, the initiative is aimed at reducing the incidence of coronavirus among patients with chronic diseases and people with disabilities, as well as preventing interruptions in medications. VSP proposes to provide home delivery even after the pandemic. In addition to pharmacies, medical institutions, courier services and volunteers will be required to carry out deliveries.

In addition, the patient organization suggested that Mishustin organize remote issuance of electronic prescriptions for subsidized drugs. These prescriptions will be sent directly to pharmacies without patient intervention. This includes not only over-the-counter medications, but also a number of prescription medications.

The publication's source in the pharmacy chain said that VSP often proposes various initiatives, but does not think through how to implement them. According to him, the drugs are delivered to beneficiaries by social workers with medical education. They receive salaries from the budget, but it is not clear who will pay for delivery to pharmacies.

According to the patient organization, about 10 million people live in Russia with chronic diseases, five million of them are diagnosed with rare diseases.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin signed a decree according to which home self-isolation is considered mandatory for all citizens, regardless of age. He also instructed to provide residents infected with coronavirus with free antiviral drugs. They will be delivered by ambulance staff, clinics or volunteers.