Medicine via post widely welcomed

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Simply commendable. This is the public's response to the 1Malaysia Medicine By Post (UMP) on Jan 24.
Executed in line with the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), it was welcomed by a majority of the public who see it as proof of the government's concern for the welfare of the low-income group and the poor.
"This is the kind of service I want. I no longer need to rush to the hospital and take a number to queue for medicines.
"I totally support this move, not because I am lazy, but if a service is offered to make our life easier, then we should make full use of it," police retiree Sidek Salleh, 52, told Bernama.
He said the service not only helped patients save petrol and time, but chronic patients also no longer needed to worry about their supply shortage as it could be ordered through 1Malaysia UMP and sent to their doorstep.
For Salmina Sulaiman, 39, although the service was useful, she stressed that individuals with high blood pressure and diabetes must be checked by their doctors.
"Despite this facility, some patients still need to visit their doctor in order to control medicine intake," she said, adding that the 1Malaysia UMP service was beneficial to those living in rural areas or far from a hospital or clinic.
Meanwhile, the health ministry, in a bid to promote healthcare among the community, has upgraded and improved the efficiency of several services offered to patients at hospitals and health clinics.
As a pioneer for the 1Malaysia UMP service, the Putrajaya Hospital registered 296 patients taking advantage of the facility, as of July.
This number is expected to rise as the service has been extended to 26 pharmacy units at main hospitals in each state, including the Selayang Hospital, Putrajaya Health Clinic and the Luyang Health Clinic in Sabah.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin told Bernama here, since it began in July, a total of 1,901 prescriptions were sent to patients.
"Patients with prescriptions for over a month have the option of receiving their medicines at home or the office," she said.
For repeat deliveries, she said various methods were available to make it easier for patients to order, should they run out of stock.
"Should the patient inform us that they want supply to be sent until the prescription ends, then the hospital or clinic will send the medicines continuously.
"Patients can call, SMS, or use the PosOnline system to contact the hospital or clinic offering these services," she added. Rosnah said pharmaceutical officers at the hospital or clinic would also remind patients to see their doctor when the prescription ended.
Through the 1Malaysia UMP, patients can also choose a suitable date to pick up their follow-up medication through the Integrated Medicine Dispensary System (SPUB), 'SMS and Take', 'Phone and Take', and the Drive-Thru Pharmacy service.
The SPUB service was implemented at pharmacy units in 136 hospitals and 532 health clinics nationwide, 'SMS and Take' at 66 hospitals and 44 health clinics while the 'Phone and Take' service was implemented at three hospitals and 14 health clinics.
On the cost of posting medicine using Pos Laju borne by the patient, Rosnah said RM3.50 was charged within Putrajaya, RM5 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM8 for Sabah and Sarawak. - Bernama