Dr Ramli gives the thumbs up after dispensing medication to Roslan Poli, the first to collect his prescription at the drive-through pharmacy.
SIBU: Sarawak’s first ever drive-through pharmacy at Sibu Hospital was launched yesterday afternoon with the aim of providing value-added services to patients.
Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Services Division senior director Dr Ramli Zainal told reporters that it provides a convenient alternative to the standard method of collecting medicine at the hospital.
He disclosed that 39 patients have so far registered for the new service.
“As you are all aware, generally, hospitals are always crowded with patients. So this (drive-through pharmacy) is an added service to make it convenient for patients in the hospital.
“This is actually for those patients getting monthly medication especially those with chronic ailments. Through this service, patients will be able to collect their medications faster,” he said after launching the facility.
Dr Ramli (front, third right) and others jointly cut a ribbon to officiate the state’s first drive-through pharmacy.
With the drive-through pharmacy, he said those collecting their medication will no longer need to find a place to park at the hospital.
Elaborating further, Dr Ramli said the service is on an appointment basis to enable patients’ medication to be prepared prior to collection.
To register for the service, he explained that patients will need to register at the Outpatient Pharmacy Counter
(Room 36) with a new prescription from Sibu Hospital Specialist Clinic.
Once registration is successful, the patient will be given a pharmacy card, he said.
The service, however, cannot be offered to patients with prescriptions containing psychotropic medicine, specialty beverages and non-commercial eye drops.
“If the patient is unable to collect the medication on the prescribed date, the patient is required to go directly to the Sibu Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy counter for collection of medicines.”
Dr Ramli also mentioned that if the facility proves a success, similar drive-through pharmacies could be set up in other government hospitals in the state.
The new facility operates Monday to Friday from 8am till 5pm, excluding weekends and public holidays.
More information on the facility can be obtained by calling Sibu Hospital Pharmacy Department (084-343333).