UMMC expands medications delivery services to patients

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30  -- Patients who seek treatments at the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) can now have their cold chain medications such as insulin delivered directly to their homes without having to go to the medical centre.

UMMC Pharmacy Department chief pharmacist Alias Aris said due to logistics constraints previously only room temperature medications could be delivered via postal services provided by Pos Malaysia to patients’ locations as cold chain medications needed to be stored at low temperatures of two to eight degrees Celsius.

"Three out of 10 patients with chronic diseases need this cold chain medicines as soon as possible," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

The delivery services were made available via a memorandum of agreement signed between the Pharmacy Department and Esyms Sdn. Bhd on Feb 10, he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement, UMMC said under this collaboration, Esyms Sdn. Bhd would handle the collection, delivery and verification of recipients as well as ensure the medications are stored at the right temperature during the delivery.

It said currently delivery of cold chain medications are done only within the Klang Valley as they have to be delivered to the patients within 24 hours to maintain their temperature, adding that patients would be charged RM15 and RM5 for room temperature medicines.

UMMC still maintained the collaboration with Pos Malaysia to deliver room temperature medications, it added.

Patients who wish to have their medications delivered to their locations can apply through the UMMC Single Sign-On account at http://eservices.ummc.edu.my/, where they can also check their application status.

A tracking number would be issued once the delivery date is confirmed, it said.

-- BERNAMA