Medical prescriptions: types, validity and how to get one online
What PRF, P6L and PS mean on a medicine box, how a reimbursed prescription differs from a private one, how long a prescription is valid and what you can sort out in a video consultation.
A medical prescription is the document in which a doctor prescribes a medicine that cannot be supplied without one. In Romania there are reimbursed prescriptions, issued through the CNAS electronic system only by doctors who hold a contract with a health insurance fund, and non-reimbursed (private) prescriptions, where you pay the full price of the medicine. Validity depends on the type: 48 hours for a reimbursed prescription for an acute condition, 30 days for chronic diseases and 6 months for P6L medicines. Antibiotics are supplied only with a prescription.
In brief
What a medical prescription is and when you need one
Law no. 95/2006 on healthcare reform divides medicines into two groups: those supplied on prescription and those supplied without one.
Medicines without a prescription (OTC) can be bought directly. For all the others you need a prescription, that is, a written or electronic order issued by a doctor after assessing you. The classification of each medicine is set by the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (ANMDMR) and appears in the marketing authorisation, including on the packaging.
A prescription is not a formality. The doctor checks your diagnosis, any other conditions and the medicines you already take, possible interactions and contraindications, and then sets the dose and the length of treatment.
On the packaging
PRF, P6L, PS: what the codes on the box mean
For medicines supplied only on prescription, ANMDMR uses four subcategories:
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| PRF | The prescription is retained by the pharmacy and cannot be renewed. |
| P6L | The prescription is not retained by the pharmacy, can be renewed and can be used for 6 months from issue. |
| PS | Special prescription, for medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances. |
| PR | Restricted prescription, for medicines used only in certain specialist fields. |
Medicines that do not fall into any of these subcategories can be supplied without a prescription. The code is entered in the medicine's authorisation, so the doctor knows from the start which type of prescription is needed.
CNAS and SIPE
The reimbursed medical prescription: who issues it and how it works
The reimbursed prescription is tied to the public health insurance system: part of the price, or all of it, is paid by the Single National Health Insurance Fund (FNUASS).
- Insured people only. Medicines reimbursed from FNUASS are supplied on the basis of an electronic prescription or a special-regime prescription (the green or yellow forms, for psychotropic and narcotic substances).
- Listed medicines only. Only medicines included in the List of Reimbursed Medicines, approved by government decision, can be prescribed and reimbursed.
- Only by doctors who hold a contract with a health insurance fund. Some medicines, restricted by treatment protocols, can be prescribed only by a specialist doctor.
- Only at pharmacies that hold a contract with a health insurance fund.
The electronic prescription and SIPE
Reimbursed prescriptions are issued through the Electronic Prescription Information System (SIPE). Since June 2025, CNAS has confirmed that when the doctor issues the electronic prescription online, you can collect your medicines without presenting a printed copy. The pharmacy supplies them on the basis of the national health insurance card or the replacement document.
As a rule, the doctor prescribes by active substance (international nonproprietary name, INN). For biological products, vaccines or in medically justified situations, the prescription may also use the brand name.
Time limits
How long a medical prescription is valid
Validity depends on the type of prescription and on the condition. The time limits below are those published by CNAS and the Ministry of Health.
| Type of prescription | Validity |
|---|---|
| Reimbursed, acute and subacute conditions | Maximum 48 hours from issue |
| Reimbursed, chronic diseases and vaccines | Maximum 30 days from issue |
| Reimbursed online for 90–92 days, for stabilised chronic diseases | Maximum 92 days; supplied in parts, the first within 30 days at most |
| P6L medicines | 6 months from issue |
| Systemic antibiotics and antifungals, outside CNAS | At most until the last day of the prescribed treatment |
On a reimbursed prescription, the doctor can prescribe medicines for at most 7 days in acute conditions, 8–10 days in subacute ones and 30–31 days in chronic diseases. For a stabilised chronic disease with a stable treatment regimen, the period can reach 90–92 days.
Sources: CNAS, Insured Person's Guide, 3rd edition; Order of the Minister of Health no. 63/2024.
Rule since 2024
Prescriptions for antibiotics: what has changed
Under Order of the Minister of Health no. 63 of 10 January 2024, systemic antibiotics and antifungals (tablets, capsules, injections) are supplied only on a medical prescription. The order does not apply to ointments, eye or ear drops and suppositories.
An antibiotic prescription issued outside the insurance system must contain at least:
- the unique series and number of the prescription;
- the healthcare facility, with name, address and telephone number;
- the patient's details: personal numeric code (CNP) or insured person's code, and for foreign citizens without residence in Romania, the country code and the number of the passport or European card;
- the diagnosis code;
- the medicine, with the international nonproprietary name, strength, form, route of administration, quantity and length of treatment;
- the doctor's signature and the date.
This prescription is retained by the pharmacy. The Ministry of Health states that no special form is required, provided that all the details above are filled in.
Comparison
Reimbursed or private prescription: the differences
| Reimbursed prescription (CNAS) | Private (non-reimbursed) prescription | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | Doctors who hold a contract with a health insurance fund | A doctor who consults outside the insurance system, for example in a private clinic or online |
| Who can benefit | Insured people only | Anyone, including uninsured people and foreign citizens |
| Price | Partly reimbursed or free, for listed medicines | Full price, whether or not you are insured |
| Where it is supplied | Only at pharmacies that hold a contract with an insurance fund | At a pharmacy in Romania |
In short: reimbursement applies only to prescriptions issued by doctors who hold a contract with the public system.
Remotely
The online medical prescription: how it works
A prescription can also be issued after a remote consultation, if the doctor has enough information to decide safely.
In the public system, CNAS states that documents resulting from a remote consultation, including the electronic prescription, are sent to the patient by electronic means, for example by email. The patient can print the document or show or send it to the pharmacy.
In the private system, the doctor can issue the prescription after a video consultation, if your conversation and documents are enough for a safe decision. The medicines are paid for in full at the pharmacy. An online consultation does not, however, replace a physical examination when one is needed, and the doctor will tell you when that is the case.
What cannot be issued online
Treatments under a special regime, for example opioids and certain controlled substances, cannot be issued electronically: Romanian law requires an original paper medical document. Our doctors do not routinely recommend controlled substances in video consultations.
December
Chronic treatment before the holidays and trips
In December many people leave home for a few days or weeks. It is worth organising your treatment in good time, so that you do not run out of medicines while away.
- Count the days of treatment you have left and compare them with the time you will be away.
- Keep the time limits in mind. A reimbursed prescription for a chronic disease is valid for 30 days at most, and one for an acute condition for only 48 hours.
- Take a list of your medicines with you, with the name of the active substance and the dose, and keep the medicines in your hand luggage when you fly.
- Do not stop your treatment on your own and do not change the dose just because you ran out of medicine on holiday.
- If your symptoms have changed, ask for an assessment, not just a renewal of your treatment.
Global Health
Renewing your treatment in a video consultation
If you are on a stable, well-established treatment, you can review it in a 15-minute video consultation with a doctor registered with the College of Physicians of Romania (CMR). The consultation costs 65 lei.
- Review of your current treatment. The doctor goes through the condition being treated, your medicines, the dose and the length of treatment.
- Safety check. The doctor looks at possible interactions and contraindications.
- A digital treatment plan, where clinically appropriate. You receive it electronically and can present it at a pharmacy in Romania.
- Referrals or tests, where needed.
- A summary of the consultation is included.
- No CNP? For foreign citizens, the passport number is used.
Important: treatment plans issued through Global Health are private and are supplied at full price, whether or not you are insured. Our doctors do not issue prescriptions reimbursed through CNAS. The service suits stable conditions, for example high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid conditions or asthma. If your symptoms have changed or worsened, the doctor will recommend a general medicine consultation.
Some situations still call for a physical examination; the doctor may recommend an in-person assessment if the video discussion and documents are not enough. Book a treatment renewal.
Next steps
Talk to a doctor about your treatment
Our doctor reviews your current treatment, checks its safety and, where clinically appropriate, issues a digital treatment plan.
Is your treatment running out before the holidays?
Book a 15-minute video consultation. The doctor reviews your stable treatment, checks for interactions and sets out the next steps.
Documentation
Official sources
Sources checked on 8 November 2026.
The legislation and CNAS documents were consulted directly. Rules can change; for a reimbursed prescription, the exact time limits are those shown in the CNAS electronic system.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about medical prescriptions
How long is a medical prescription valid?
It depends on the type. A reimbursed prescription for an acute or subacute condition is valid for 48 hours at most, and one for a chronic disease for 30 days at most. A prescription for P6L medicines is valid for 6 months, and a private antibiotic prescription is valid at most until the last day of the treatment.
Can I get a reimbursed prescription after an online consultation with Global Health?
No. Our doctors do not issue prescriptions reimbursed through CNAS. Reimbursement applies only to prescriptions issued by doctors who hold a contract with a health insurance fund. Treatment plans issued through Global Health are supplied at full price.
Can I buy antibiotics without a prescription?
As a rule, no. Since 2024, systemic antibiotics and antifungals have been supplied in Romania only on a medical prescription, and the prescription is retained by the pharmacy.
What do I do if I do not have a CNP?
For foreign citizens without a CNP, the doctor enters the passport number on the prescription. For antibiotics, foreign citizens without residence in Romania are identified by the country code and the number of the passport or European health card.
Can I renew treatment for a chronic disease online?
Yes, if the condition is stable and the treatment is well established. In the video consultation, the doctor reviews the treatment and its safety and, where clinically appropriate, issues a digital treatment plan. If your symptoms have changed, you need a general medicine consultation.
