[e-drug] Chronic Dispensing Services in the Public Sector

["NEERMALA KISOON" <kisoonn@ukzn.ac.za>]

E-drug: Chronic Dispensing Services in the Public Sector
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Dear e-druggers

I am a lecturer/pharmacist in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  I have
worked in the public health sector and found that the major problem in
the out-patient department at hospitals, is the large patient load. 
Many of these patients are merely there to collect their monthly repeat
medication for chronic illnesses.  I also worked at a public sector
chronic dispensing facility, where the medication was pre-dispensed,
packaged and sent to a clinic for collection by the patient.  South
Africa only has 3 chronic dispensing facilities in the public sector. 
Will the creation of more predispensing facilities take away the load
from hospitals?

My current project involves a comparative study of chronic dispensing
services in the public sector, i.e. looking at the patient load at
hospitals and a predispensing facility, as well as investigating the
attitudes of patients towards the service they receive, at a hospital or
clinic.  Being a developing country, South Africa needs to learn from
the rest of the world.  To date, I have not been able to find adequate
information surrounding chronic dispensing services in the public
sector, i.e. the provision of medication for chronic illnesses.

Any information regarding this topic will be much appreciated.

Kind Regards
Neeri

********************************************
Neermala Kisoon
BSc, BScHon, BPharm
Associate Lecturer-Pharmaceutical Chemistry
School of Pharmacy & Pharmacology
University of KwaZulu-Natal - Westville Campus
Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000
Tele: +27 31 2607179/7358
Fax:  +27 31 2607792
email: kisoonn@ukzn.ac.za

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