Coronavirus: delivery of medicinal products to ambulatory patients’ homes by the authorised hospital

date: 20/04/2020

On an exceptional basis during the COVID-19 pandemic, the FAMHP is authorising hospital pharmacies to organise deliveries of medicinal products directly to the homes of ambulatory patients who are unable to go to the hospital.

The progress of some "ambulatory" patients undergoing medical treatment is monitored by hospital doctors, but these patients are not hospitalised and pursue their treatment at home. These ambulatory patients usually receive their medication directly from the hospital pharmacy. For the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FAMHP is allowing hospital pharmacies to deliver medicinal products to the patient's home. It concerns medicines that may only be dispensed and/or reimbursed after delivery by the hospital pharmacist. Medicinal products delivered by the hospital will be reimbursed by the INAMI as usual.

If patients are able to go to the hospital themselves, they may go and collect their medication, as long as they follow the precautions recommended by the hospital (collection from the pharmacy directly or from another location determined by the hospital).

Guaranteed quality and traceability

Deliveries made by hospital pharmacies are authorised only if the rules of Good Distribution Practices (GDP) are followed during the transportation of the medicinal products to ensure the quality of the medicinal products right up to the moment of delivery to the patient. In this way, storage conditions and product traceability are guaranteed.

Go to hospital for essential and urgent care only

As of 14 March 2020, the healthcare sector has been issued guidelines to cancel and postpone all consultations, examinations and non-essential interventions in all our country’s general, university and rehabilitation hospitals, as well as in private clinics, to ensure that the best possible care is offered to COVID-19 patients.

It was clearly specified that all the urgent and necessary consultations, examinations and interventions could of course take place, but the continuity of care can only be carried out under conditions which guarantee the safety of patients and hospital staff.

The competent public administration inspection departments (FAMHP, FPS Public Health) are monitoring the situation on the ground and will carry out spot checks if necessary.

Last updated on 04/05/2020