Tunisian Medical Association President Warns of Complications in Access to New Diabetes Medication
President of the Tunisian Association of General Medicine and Family Medicine, Habib Jerbi, Expresses Concerns Over Exclusion of Primary Care Physicians from Prescribing New Diabetes Medication
Habib Jerbi, president of the Tunisian Association of General Medicine and Family Medicine, has stated that excluding primary care physicians from prescribing a new medication for diabetes may complicate patients' access to treatment. Speaking on Diwan Fm on Wednesday, he emphasized that general practitioners and family physicians are a crucial component of the healthcare system, particularly in diagnosing, screening, and monitoring patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes.
According to Jerbi, the decision to limit the prescription of this medication, as announced by the National Medicines Agency, is not legally binding. He has therefore called for clarification of the regulatory framework governing this measure.
Jerbi has also advocated for a review of the current organization to include primary care physicians among the authorized practitioners for prescribing this treatment. This integration, he noted, should be done under strict conditions and clearly defined protocols, with the establishment of a specific registry under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.
In his view, such an approach would allow for a balance between securing prescriptions and improving patients' access to new treatments.
Key Points:
- Excluding primary care physicians from prescribing new diabetes medication may complicate patients' access to treatment.
- General practitioners and family physicians play a crucial role in diagnosing, screening, and monitoring patients with chronic diseases.
- The decision to limit the prescription of the new medication is not legally binding.
- A review of the current organization is needed to include primary care physicians among the authorized practitioners for prescribing this treatment.
- A specific registry should be established under the supervision of the Ministry of Health to ensure secure prescribing practices.
