The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirates, has launched a new initiative for citizens in which medicines will be delivered at their homes from pharmacies amid Covid-19 lockdown.

Now vulnerable patients, those who live in remote areas and especially elderly citizens can call pharmacies to order medicines. This service was specially launched for the requirements of elderly citizens and patients. Pharmacist only medicines, over the counter medicines, prescription medicines are permitted for home delivery. Controlled and Semi-Controlled Medications that are given to acute or chronic disease patients will be delivered only after the special authorization of the doctor. Medicines prescribed for the first time for patients with multiple chronic diseases will not be given at home, but there refill is allowed, DOH- Abu Dhabi stated.

In the Emirate, many of the outpatient pharmacies now have the approval to offer these services. Private sectors and all the DoH-licensed pharmacies in government will follow the new rules to deliver medicines as per the requirements of patients, DoH - Abu Dhabi told Emirates News Agency.

DoH - Abu Dhabi explained that, however, the launch of this service is critical as it enables the health sector to support the government strategy to ensure taking preventive measures against Covid-19, encouraging people to stay home, including social distancing and providing the continued care for all residents in the Emirate.

The DoH said in their statement that pharmacies are allowed to take delivery charge, but it is entirely on each pharmacy if they wish to charge for their services or not. The patient must provide an original medical prescription, hard copy, or digital copy to the pharmacy, and to receive the delivery; Emirates ID is mandatory.

Pharmacies have to follow guidelines while delivering medicine at home, such as refrigerated meds to be transferred in temperature-controlled containers, and meds should be packed and sealed correctly, as well as maintain the confidentiality of patients, only there name and phone no can be written on the pack.

Article Credit: WAM