By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a landmark move for public health, Costa Rica will transition to a fully digital system for antimicrobial prescriptions this weekend. The Ministry of Health has announced that beginning Saturday, November 8th, all prescriptions for critical medications including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics must be issued and processed electronically. The initiative is a decisive step aimed at modernizing the nation’s healthcare infrastructure and tackling the growing global threat of antimicrobial resistance.
The new regulation will be enforced through the recently launched System of Digital Prescription for Systemic Antimicrobials (SRDAS). This centralized digital platform becomes the exclusive channel for prescribing and dispensing these controlled substances, effectively ending the era of paper-based prescriptions for this entire class of drugs. This shift is designed to create a secure, transparent, and fully traceable lifecycle for every prescription.
To delve into the legal framework and potential challenges surrounding the implementation of digital prescriptions, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his specialized analysis on the matter.
The transition to digital prescriptions is a crucial step towards modernizing healthcare, but it demands a robust legal architecture. The key challenges lie in guaranteeing the integrity and confidentiality of patient data under Law No. 8968, ensuring the non-repudiation of the physician’s digital signature, and clearly delineating liability among doctors, pharmacies, and software providers. A failure to meticulously regulate these aspects could expose the entire system to significant risks, from medical malpractice claims to critical data breaches.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal architecture highlighted by the expert is not merely a procedural detail but the very foundation upon which a secure and trustworthy digital prescription system must be built. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating the critical balance required between technological innovation and the legal protection of patients and professionals alike.
The mandate will directly impact a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals. All licensed physicians, dentists, and obstetric nurses are now required to use the SRDAS platform to issue prescriptions. Concurrently, the new law designates licensed pharmacists as the sole professionals authorized to dispense these medications. Pharmacists must also use the SRDAS to verify and log each transaction, creating a closed-loop system that enhances accountability and oversight from the point of prescription to patient delivery.
At the core of this sweeping policy change is the urgent need to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a phenomenon that threatens the efficacy of modern medicine worldwide. The government has explicitly framed this initiative, codified in Executive Decree N.º 44714-S published in October 2024, as a critical tool to improve sanitary control and curb the inappropriate use of antibiotics. AMR occurs when microbes evolve to resist the drugs designed to eliminate them, leading to the rise of “superbugs” that can make common infections untreatable and life-threatening.
The implementation of SRDAS is expected to yield significant benefits for the national health system. By digitizing the entire process, the Ministry of Health gains a powerful tool for sanitary surveillance, allowing for real-time analysis of prescribing trends across the country. This data-driven approach will help identify regions or practices with unusually high prescription rates, enabling targeted educational campaigns and interventions to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials and preserve their effectiveness for future generations.
Furthermore, the digital system introduces a new level of regulatory agility. The Ministry of Health has been granted the authority to dynamically update the list of medications governed by the SRDAS. This flexibility allows the government to respond swiftly to emerging scientific evidence and evolving public health challenges. If a particular drug begins to show signs of widespread resistance, it can be quickly integrated into the digital monitoring system to ensure tighter control over its distribution and use.
For patients, the move to a digital-only system promises greater convenience and safety. The risk of losing a paper prescription is eliminated, and the potential for fraudulent or altered scripts is significantly reduced. The secure transmission of information from the prescriber directly to the pharmacy minimizes the chance of dispensing errors, ensuring that patients receive the correct medication and dosage as intended by their healthcare provider.
With this nationwide mandate, Costa Rica positions itself as a regional leader in applying technology to solve critical public health problems. By leveraging a sophisticated digital framework to confront the global challenge of AMR, the country is not only safeguarding the health of its own citizens but also contributing to the international effort to keep these essential medicines working. The successful deployment of SRDAS is set to become a benchmark for how technology can forge a more resilient and secure healthcare future.
For further information, visit ministeriodesalud.go.cr
About the Ministry of Health:
The Ministry of Health is the government entity responsible for establishing and overseeing public health policies, regulations, and programs in Costa Rica. Its mission is to guarantee the protection and improvement of the health of the population through leadership in sanitation, health promotion, and disease prevention. The Ministry plays a central role in regulating healthcare services, managing epidemiological surveillance, and responding to national health crises.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a leading law firm, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its principled dedication to legal excellence and unwavering integrity. It leverages a deep heritage of serving a broad spectrum of clients to drive innovation in the legal field. The firm’s profound commitment extends beyond its practice to educating the public, reflecting a foundational goal to empower the community through accessible legal wisdom and foster a more informed citizenry.
