THE lack of awareness on the requirements of the free medicine program has resulted in pharmacies having to deal with a public influx pouring into outlets expecting free medication, says HyperChem Pharmacy director Zahira Cassim.
The Health Ministry issued a statement that effective August 1, there would be important changes to the process of obtaining medicines for outpatient department (OPD) patients at hospitals managed by Health Care Fiji Ltd — namely Lautoka and Ba hospitals.
According to the changes, OPD patients seen at the Special Outpatient Clinic (SOPD), Emergency Department (ED), and the General Outpatient Department (GOPD) at the Aspen Medical-managed Ba Hospital could obtain their discharge medications from the mobile dispensary.
Outpatients seen at the Aspen Medical-managed Lautoka Hospital could get their medications from the Lautoka Health Clinic at Vidilo House.
HyperChem is listed as one of the retail pharmacies in the West where patients can access the free medicine program
“I think many of them are not aware of this free medicine program,” Ms Cassim said.
“They think they’re entitled to free medicine from the pharmacy. They’re not aware they need to register. They don’t know the conditions for registration because we are busy serving all our other normal paying customers.”
Ms Cassim said staff members were anticipating a significant number of patients turning up at their Lautoka outlet.
“We are already dealing with a shortage of pharmacists and I can foresee, that’s why I say it’s an unnecessary a burden on us.”
Ms Cassim said the pharmacy had reached out to the Free Medicine Program co-ordinator in Suva to provide a space in their outlets for an information booth to assist the public.
Fiji Medical Association president Dr Alipate Vakamocea called on the Government to hold more talks with Aspen Medical to address how the dispensary closure will impact low-income families.
“There needs to be a better way to roll this out, like if you talk to the pharmacists, they tell you right now those pharmacies listed on the free medical scheme, they don’t have the capacity to take on this load,” Dr Vakamocea said.
“There are specific medications that are not given to private pharmacies like morphine, for example, so our patients who are on palliative care — seeking specific pain relief, they’re not going to be able to get it.”
