Q COSTARICA — The Ministry of Health announced that mandatory digital prescriptions are now in effect for all antimicrobial medications, including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics.
According to the Ministry, this means that medical professionals, dentists, and obstetric nurses must issue prescriptions exclusively through the new Sistema de Receta Digital para Antimicrobianos Sistémicos (SRDAS) – Digital Prescription System for Systemic Antimicrobials.
It is important to note that pharmacies are only permitted to dispense these medications through this system, whose objective is to improve the safety, traceability, and control of these medications to combat antimicrobial resistance and ensure their responsible use.
The new SRDAS also facilitates health surveillance and promotes the responsible use of treatments.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health will have the authority to update the medications included in the system based on scientific evidence and the country’s needs, in order to achieve more efficient regulation.
The change is part of Executive Decree No. 44714-S, published in October 2024, which seeks to improve sanitary control and prevent the inappropriate use of antibiotics, one of the main causes of antimicrobial resistance in the world.
How it Works
- Prescription Issuance: Healthcare professionals issue prescriptions digitally in the system (accessing it through recetadigital.go.cr or interoperable systems), creating a unique prescription with a code valid for three business days.
- Validation and Dispensing: Pharmacies validate the prescription code in the system and dispense the medication.
- Traceability: The system allows for online tracking of all prescriptions and dispensing, improving health surveillance.
- Mandatory Use: As of November 8, 2025, the use of this system is mandatory for all healthcare professionals who prescribe these types of medications.
- Updates: The Ministry of Health may update the list of medications included in the system based on scientific evidence and the country’s needs.
The SRDAS validates in real time the registration and authorization of professionals with their respective professional association, ensuring that only authorized personnel can prescribe and dispense these medications.
For more details, access the platform at recetadigital.go.cr or the Ministerio de Salud (Costa Rican Ministry of Health) website.