Access to chronic medicines to be improved for patients
The Department of Health has partnered with Medipost, which will be responsible for the pre-packing and dispensing of the medication at the pick-up points
The exponential increase in a total number of patients diagnosed with chronic diseases within the Estcourt Sub-District has resulted in an influx of patients coming to the clinics to collect their medication monthly.
This has contributed to long waiting times and a high nurse workload. The Estcourt Hospital Pharmacy Team came up with a Quality Improvement Project to change the current situation.
Three clinics namely Forderville, Ntabamhlophe and Injisuthi were identified as pilot sites for the new project, where medication was pre-packed and dispensed to sites closer to where patients live. The patients only came to the clinic when they were due for review and were referred back to the pick-up point.
This project started in March 2014 and had problems at first, but has yielded positive results since. Centralised Chronic Medication Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) is the same programme but has been improved to meet patients’ needs.
The Department of Health has partnered with Medipost, which will be responsible for the pre-packing and dispensing of the medication at the pick-up points, among other things. Patients, clients and stakeholders will be afforded an opportunity to suggest pick up points and once assessed and if the area has met minimum requirements, it will be accredited.
For a patient to be eligible for the programme he/she has to be on chronic medication, been stable for more than six months and has been collecting medication as expected. Patients are required to bring their Identity Documents and the ID of one of the person that will be collecting medication on their behalf.
The CCMDD has been launched at Injisuthi Clinic on July 25, Forderville Clinic on August 1 and Ntabamhlophe and Ncibidwane clinics on August 4. The following are yet to the launched – Estcourt Hospital on September 5, Wembezi Clinic, September 5 and Connor Street Clinic on September 19.
Patients, clients and stakeholders are urged to make good use of the opportunity that has presented itself by identifying pick-up points closer to their homes and in so doing we can decongest clinics, minimise transport costs and also improve patient adherence to treatment. Enquiries can be forwarded to Operational Managers in all clinics.
