Greek hospital doctors protest new electronic prescribing system

Doctors in Greek public hospitals are protesting the upcoming implementation of a new electronic prescribing system, which is scheduled for a pilot rollout across the National Health Service (ESY) on October 12. Medical professionals, including the Association of Hospital Doctors of Athens-Piraeus (EINAP), argue that the system is not a true electronic prescribing tool but rather a digital ordering platform for hospital pharmacies.

Critics highlight several major concerns, including the lack of adequate training for medical staff and the potential for increased bureaucratic burden. Doctors claim the system shifts medical and administrative responsibilities onto them, particularly regarding liability when specific medications are unavailable or not approved for a patient. Panagiotis Papanikolaou, General Secretary of the Federation of Hospital Doctors, noted that the IDIKA-developed tool primarily functions as a digital mechanism to transfer drug requirements from doctors to hospital pharmacies without a broader scientific approach.

Furthermore, there are concerns regarding patient care, as the system may struggle to account for patients who are moved between different clinics or buildings, potentially complicating the tracking of pharmaceutical treatments.