Chronic patients to get medication ID

Beginning this week, chronically ill patients will receive a medication card they must carry whenever they go to a health center in order for medical workers to determine the type of medication they are taking.

The Costa Rican Social Security System, or Caja, will issue medication cards to some 1.2 million patients suffering from chronic hypertension, diabetes, asthma and epilepsy.

Patients will receive the cards at their local Caja clinic or pharmacy and must wear them during visits to the doctor or dentist.

According to Caja Executive Director Ileana Balmaceda and Stephen Vega, head of the Caja’s pharmaceutical services, the new medical card will help prevent duplication, complications and adverse reactions caused by prescriptions.