Chronic medicines to be pre-packaged
2005-12-07
THE Provincial Health Minister, Pierre Uys, recently opened the first-ever Chronic Dispensing Unit (CDU) in the Western Cape.
“It is hoped the CDU will dramatically reduce waiting times experienced by patients with chronic disorders such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy and arthritis,” said Minister Uys.
The Department provides large numbers of patients with medication and it is estimated that at least 60% of all visits to Community
Health Centres (CHCs) are to get medication for chronic diseases.
To promote increased efficiency of Primary Health Care service delivery for chronic diseases, the Department decided to establish a central Chronic Dispensing Unit.
“The unit will order, receive, store, dispense and distribute medicine for stable patients with chronic diseases,” says Minister Uys.
“The Department aims to have 5 000 chronic scripts (about 4,5 items per script) delivered by Christmas, after which there will be a rapid escalation of the services to reduce waiting times at pharmacies in the facilities concerned,” he said.
By reducing the waiting times, pharmacists will also have more time available for patient counselling.
The roll-out is expected to reach the Paarl area (TC Newman Hospital) between March and November next year, with other local centres to follow.
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