Big advice coming soon | 28. November 2024
The canton of Bern supports the further development of the electronic patient record. The Grand Council accepted a corresponding loan of four million francs on Thursday. Doctors should also be allowed to dispense medication. This called for a proposal in the Grand Council. The request was withdrawn on Thursday – and a new one was immediately submitted.
The loan of four million francs is transitional financing.Photo: Keystone
The council members voted in favor of the property loan with 129 votes to five and eight abstentions. The canton of Bern is to participate in transition financing for the years 2025 to 2029 with a loan of four million francs.
In this phase, the federal government also wants to financially support the operation and further development of the electronic patient record (EPD). However, federal support is subject to the condition that the cantons contribute equally.
According to the Health and Social Commission of the Grand Council, the federal government is expected to bring a comprehensive revision of the legal basis of the EPD into force in 2028. This revision is intended to regulate the roles between the federal government and the cantons more clearly and to ensure the sustainable financing of the EPD.
Bern Grand Council postpones debate on medical medication distribution
The motion was supported by council members from all parties. She demanded that Bernese general practitioners, pediatricians and specialists throughout the canton be “authorized to dispense medication without restrictions” and be allowed to run a private pharmacy.
The motion members were of the opinion that a system change would strengthen doctors. The canton of Bern would “become a more attractive location for primary care practices”. The current law restricts patients’ freedom of access. That is no longer up to date.
New advance ready
In the run-up to the debate, however, it was clear to the motionaries that they would not find a majority. They therefore withdrew the initiative. “The losers are the doctors,” said spokeswoman Irene Hügli (SP). “You need support promptly.”
At this point, the motioners had already submitted a new, revised proposal. In the first phase, the aim is to have a round table with everyone involved, as Hügli said when asked by the SDA: “Doctors, pharmacists, the health department and other actors should come together.” The aim is to provide regionally flexible solutions so that the population can access medication with as little a threshold as possible.
The current regulation has been in force since 1984. Currently, only doctors in towns where emergency medication supplies are not covered by at least two public pharmacies are allowed to operate a private pharmacy. For this you need a permit.