Headline: Argentina‘s Healthcare Revolution: Receta Electrónica Now Mandatory, VSR Vaccination Begins
Article:
Argentina kicks off the new year with a digital healthcare revolution and an enhanced focus on maternal and infant health. As of January 1, 2025, the Ministry of Health has made the Receta Electrónica the sole modality for prescribing medicines nationwide. This measure aims to create an efficient digital health ecosystem, improve traceability, facilitate pharmacy dispensing, and enhance medication security for patients.
The Decreto 345/2024 mandates that prescriptions can only be issued via platforms registered with the Registro Nacional de Plataformas Digitales Sanitarias (ReNaPDiS). To be valid, recetas electrónicas must bear the prescriber’s identification, a code barcode, patient details, medication description, diagnosis, emissions date, and the professional’s digital signature.
The shift to digital prescription aligns with pre-existing provincial laws, with 17 jurisdictions already having receta electrónica legislation. Of these, 11 adhere to the national law, four have their own provincial regulations, and two are awaiting provincial law approval. Seven remaining jurisdictions either partially use or plan to implement the receta electrónica soon.
In parallel, Argentina has initiated its Virus Sincicial Respiratorio (VSR) vaccination drive. Pregnant women between their 32nd and 36th week, plus six days, can now receive the VSR vaccine at all national vaccination centers. This measure, added to the National Vaccination Calendar in January 2024, seeks to bolster population protection during the virus’ peak circulation period, March to April.
The VSR is the primary cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants aged under one year, contributing to significant global morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in developing countries. Apart from the VSR vaccine, expectant mothers are also recommended to receive antigripal, COVID-19, and triple bacteriana acelular vaccines for optimal prenatal protection.