Strive to enhance the quality of public services is the thrust of the Civil Service. Ministry of Health (MOH) has always nurture and appreciate the values and ethics of the Public Service. “Kami Sedia Membantu” is the powerful slogan of the Ministry of Health that has brought civil servants creativity and innovation towards the transformation of service delivery systems and processes. The transformation is vital to ensure that the services provided along with the sustained progress and development of technology, infrastructure, and accessibility needs of the people.
Pharmacotherapy accessibility, especially for patients with chronic diseases is a paramount importance to the MOH in order to maintain the quality of life and reduce the health care cost. Therefore, Pharmaceutical Services Division which act as the “custodians of the medication management system”, is always committed to diversifying the supply of drugs supply system to be compatible with the current facilities and meet the needs of people at an optimal level.
As to improve the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) among the public, partial drug supply is given for a chronic diseases prescription with more than one month and the next supply is made by Pharmacy Appointment System (PhAS).
In line with this, Pharmaceutical Services Division is offering the Value Added Services (VAS) through various types of PhAS. Among PhAS offered by pharmacy department of the hospitals and clinics are as follows: –
A. INTEGRATED DRUG DISPENSING SYSTEM (SPUB)
Introduction
Integrated Drug Dispensing System is a standardized and well-organized reference method for the partial supply of drugs in which patients can take medicines for their follow-up supply at any MOH health facilities according to patient choice.
Type Of Service
Follow-up medical supply using a uniform and integrated system in all MOH health facilities.
Advantages/ Benefit
Benefits derived from this system
- Facilitates patients to get supplies of follow-up medicines at any MOH pharmacy close to their homes even in a relatively isolated place.
- Patients will receive the same quality of service at any choosen facility via a standard reference method.
B. MEDICINES BY POST 1MALAYSIA (UMP 1MALAYSIA)
Introduction
Medicines By Post 1Malaysia service is the follow-up medical supply services delivered directly to the patient’s preferred location with pre determined post charges. Patients who are interested in this services must meet specific criteria that have been set. This service is provided as a result of cooperation between the Ministry of Health Malaysia and Pos Malaysia Berhad. Drug delivery using Express Mail service is subjected within the area of collection and delivery of Express Mail. Delivery charges are borne by the patient’s according to various destinations.
Type Of Service
Follow-up medical supply system using Express Mail shipment to patient’s choice of locations throughout Malaysia.
Advantages/ Benefit
Benefits derived from this system
- Patients no longer need to go over the pharmacy counter to take the follow-up medicines because these medicines will be sent directly to the patient’s preferred location.
- Solve the problem of lack of time to come and take the medicine at the pharmacy counter.
- Cost-saving for patients journey.
- No parking problems.
C. DRIVE-THRU PHARMACY
Introduction
The drive through pharmacy has been introduced in certain hospital for convenience of patients in picking up their medications. Patients can now drive directly to the dedicated counter and collect their follow up medicines. Patients do not have to wait long because the pharmacy staff have prepared them before the appointment date for patients to come and take the medications.
Type Of Service
Dispensing of follow-up drugs to patients at a pharmacy drive thru counter.
Advantages/Benefit
Benefits derived from this system
- Patients do not have to wait long to get follow-up medical supplies
- No parking problems as car ramps have been provided
D. SMS AND TAKE
Introduction
Pharmacy SMS and Take is a service provided for patients who want to take follow-up medication. The patient can come and collect their follow-up medical supplies without having to queue or wait too long at the pharmacy counter. Patients only need to send a short message (SMS) about their details and the desired date and time of collections.
Type Of Service
Patients don’t have to wait at the pharmacy counter because the patients medications have been prepared in advanced.
Advantages/Benefit
Benefits derived from this system
- Reduce patients waiting time at the pharmacy counter
- Provide a more flexible follow-up medical supplies services, and not confined to the peak hour
Apart from the systems mentioned above, there are also some other pharmacy appointment systems, such as Appointment Cards, Phone/Fax/Email and Take, Put and Take Tomorrow and Pharmacy Walk Thru. However, not all MOH health facilities provide these appointment systems. Provision of appointment is subject to their respective facilities as appropriate.
Innovation of this dispensing system by appointment is worthwhile in order to ensure continuity of the follow-up drugs supply of the patient. It also helps to increase the level of compliant to medications. However, this appointment service is provided to patients with long-term prescriptions of stable chronic disease only. Supply of the drugs for the first month still need to be done at the pharmacy counter of the health facility.
If there are any inquiries about the pharmacy appointment system, patients are free to contact pharmacists at the facilities offering the services.
| Last reviewed | : | 07 March 2012 |
| Writer | : | Norazimah bt. Abdul Manan |
| Reviewer | : | Norhayati bt. Musa |
