Skip to main content
15-05-2026

Experts advise: how to obtain reimbursable medicines at a pharmacy?

Iliustracija

The current procedure for prescribing and dispensing reimbursable medicines and medical aids is quite flexible and helps patients access the treatment they need more easily, says Lina Škiudaitė, Acting Head of the Pharmaceutical Consumption Monitoring Division at the National Health Insurance Fund. The specialist reminds residents of the most convenient ways to obtain reimbursable medicines and medical aids prescribed to them.

Medicines can be purchased in portions

A patient has the option to obtain reimbursable medicines and reimbursed medical aids in portions, according to the needs, financial circumstances, and the stock of medicines and medical aids available at the pharmacy. If a pharmacy does not have the full quantity of the prescribed medicines or medical aids, the patient may collect only the amount currently available. The remaining quantity can be dispensed later at the same pharmacy or at another pharmacy, provided the prescription remains valid. A prescription remains valid until either the patient has collected the entire prescribed quantity or the prescription expires. This dispensing arrangement allows patients to continue treatment even when the pharmacy does not have the full required quantity in stock at a given time.

If the supply of combination medicines – medicines containing more than one active substance – prescribed through electronic prescriptions is disrupted, they may be dispensed as separate active-substance medicines at the same pharmacy. This allows patients to continue their treatment without needing a new prescription or amendments to the existing prescription solely due to shortages or supply disruptions.

What should you do if you run out of medicines but still have to wait for a doctor’s appointment?

If you have run out of regularly used reimbursable medicines or medical aids (MAs) and are unable to see a healthcare professional promptly, there may still be a solution.

In certain cases, a pharmacist may dispense medicines or medical aids without a new prescription, based on records of previous prescriptions and dispensations. In such cases, the costs may be reimbursed from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund. However, this is subject to specific conditions and restrictions. For example, narcotic and psychotropic medicines cannot be dispensed under this arrangement. In addition, medicines may be dispensed based on the most recent prescription only once and for a treatment period of no more than 30 days, except in cases where the package cannot be split.

“As needed” prescriptions: when are they issued?

In certain cases, when a disease is prone to recurring, a healthcare professional may issue a prescription marked “As needed.” Such prescriptions may be issued when the medicines listed are intended to be taken or used only when specific symptoms or conditions occur, such as pain, migraine attacks, or allergic reactions. An “As needed” prescription remains valid for up to six months and may be used at any time if the patient’s symptoms reappear, even if the medicine was not purchased within 30 days of the prescription‘s effective date. 

This is particularly convenient for patients who need to start treatment as quickly as possible, as soon as the first signs of their condition appear. In such cases, there is no need to contact a doctor for a new prescription each time symptoms recur or to keep large stocks of medicines at home in advance.

However, an “As needed” prescription is not issued in all cases. The decision to issue such a prescription is made by a physician or another healthcare professional authorized to prescribe medicines, after assessing the patient’s health condition, the nature of the disease, and the safety of the treatment. Medicines should always be used exactly as directed by the healthcare professional. If symptoms worsen or change, patients should contact their healthcare provider.

More information about the dispensing of medicines and medical aids can be found here.

For what period can medicines be prescribed?

When prescribing a reimbursable medicine for the first time, a physician may prescribe it for a 10-day course of treatment if the illness is acute. In other cases, medicines may initially be prescribed for one month of treatment. Only after confirming that the medicine is suitable and safe for the patient may the physician issue a prescription for a longer treatment period – up to three or six months.

How much do we spend on reimbursable medicines?

Nearly every second resident of Lithuania uses reimbursable medicines or MAs. Over the past five years, the number of users has increased by 14 percent, demonstrating that these products are an important part of everyday healthcare and treatment.

A significant share of the budget of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund is allocated each year to reimburse medicines and medical aids. Last year, EUR 702.6 million was spent on reimbursing medicines and medical aids. In addition, EUR 39.4 million was allocated from the state budget to cover patients’ co-payments for medicines.

The NHIF invites you:

Last updated: 09-06-2026

Related news:

Joint replacement surgery: mobility is restored for thousands of patients every year

Health budget in 2025: what benefits did we receive?

The right to be informed: what is important to know about reimbursable healthcare

Tens of millions of euros for residents’ health: for whom and how are medication co-payments covered?

Study reveals: a family doctor’s advice determines the decision to get checked