The metro has partnered with commercial pharmacy groups such as Clicks, Pick n Pay, Dis-Chem and Medirite, with the assistance of the National Department of Health, to serve as chronic medication pick-up points to reduce waiting times at healthcare facilities.<\/p>\n
The public-private partnership with the 49 contracted pharmacies in Ekurhuleni complements the existing 111 pick-up points which service about 44 800 patients.<\/p>
\u201cThis service gives residents the opportunity to choose the most convenient pharmacy for them to collect their medicine from,\u201d said the MMC for community services, Clr Dora Mlambo.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn average, 60 per cent of patients visiting our clinics are stable patients, only there to collect their chronic medication.<\/p>
\u201cIdeally, these patients should not be queuing, hence we have expanded pick-up points to private pharmaceutical companies.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Councillors learn about the importance of wetlands<\/a><\/p>\n Metro expands access to healthcare by extending operating hours for 29 clinics<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The service is only open to stable patients who have undergone a minimum of six medical reviews and their medical records confirm adherence to the proper dosing schedule.<\/p>\n Once a health practitioner has given the go-ahead for a patient to collect their prescription, a patient will sign a consent form to indicate the pharmacy of their choice where they want to collect their two months\u2019 treatment.<\/p>\n Once the medication is available at the pick-up point, an SMS notification will be sent to the patient to collect their medicine within 14 days from the time the SMS was sent.<\/p>\n Patients are expected to visit the clinic after six months for re-scripting and medical assessment.<\/p>\n However, should any sickness or medical complications arise, the patient is strongly advised to visit their nearest clinic for medical attention.<\/p>\n Proof of identification and a clinic card will be required when collecting medication at the pharmacy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n