Now medications on Latvian prescriptions can also be purchased in Finland 0 11

As reported by the LCCZ, the exchange of basic medical data between Latvia and Finland has begun; however, it is currently only one-way — Latvian medical professionals will be able to access basic health data of residents of Finland.

In the future, Finnish doctors, when seeing residents of Latvia, will also be able to view their basic medical data — established diagnoses and information about surgical procedures performed in the last six months, as indicated in the E-veselība system.

At the moment, this data transfer procedure will only apply in cases where residents of Finland seek medical services in Latvia. The transfer of data about Latvian patients to Finnish institutions is planned to be implemented gradually.

Until now, residents of Latvia could use their electronic prescriptions in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, and some regions of Spain, and now also in Finland. Citizens of these EU countries can also purchase necessary medications based on their prescriptions in Latvian pharmacies.

Last year, 2,419 electronic prescriptions issued in Latvia were used abroad, while 1,295 prescriptions issued in other countries were used in Latvia. According to the LCCZ, compared to 2024, cross-border data exchange on electronic prescriptions increased by 60% in 2025.

LCCZ board member Juris Gaikis noted that in 2025, data of Latvian patients abroad was viewed 41 times, while data of foreign tourists in Latvia was viewed 46 times for medical purposes.

He emphasized that the availability of information at both national and international levels allows medical personnel to make more informed and timely decisions. This is especially important in situations where a patient has limited communication abilities or is, for example, unconscious but has an identification document with them.

The LCCZ reminds that starting from March 4, 2024, medications based on electronic prescriptions issued in Latvia can be purchased in another EU country, if necessary — for example, during a business trip or tourist visit — where cross-border data exchange is conducted.

The exchange of medical data between EU countries was introduced based on the Directive of the European Parliament and Council of March 9, 2011, on the application of patients' rights to cross-border healthcare. The aim of the directive is to ensure that EU residents can obtain medications based on their electronic prescriptions in other member states and to provide medical personnel access to patients' basic medical data. All data exchange facts are recorded in the E-veselība system through auditing.