Contactless medicine lockers in outpatient pharmacy: A safe dispensing system during the COVID-19 pandemic

Yeo, Yee-Ling; Chang, Chee Tao; Chew, Chii-Chii; Rama, Shamini

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2020.11.011

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In Asian countries, pharmacists were involved in providing free medical and medications counselling, development of COVID-19 practice guidelines, home delivery of medicines, and telemedicines [19]. In Malaysia, pharmacists served as the main pillar of healthcare workforce, involved in managing novel therapies, medication safety follow-up, redesigning medication delivery system, remote medication inventory monitoring, leveraging communication technology in medication counseling in addition to their conventional roles [20][21][22][23][24]. In the context of reviewing medication appropriateness among older adults with COVID-19, implementation of such measures has increased the accessibility and quality of pharmacy services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications among hospitalized older adults with COVID-19 in Malaysian tertiary hospitals

Chang¹,

Rajan²,

Huey

2023

J of Pharm Policy and Pract

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Introduction Older adults are among the most vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 epidemic, contributing to a large proportion of COVID-19-related death. Medication review and reconciliation by pharmacist can help reduce the number of potentially inappropriate medications but these services were halted during COVID-19. Aim To assess the prevalence and factors associated with inappropriate medicine use among older populations with COVID-19. Methods This was a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of medications among hospitalized older adults with COVID-19. Potentially inappropriate medication use was categorized using the Beer’s and STOPP criteria. Results Combining both criteria, 181 (32.7%) of the 553 patients were identified to have used at least one or more potentially inappropriate medication. A marginally higher number of inappropriate medications was documented using the Beers 2019 criteria (151 PIM in 124 patients) compared to STOPP criteria (133 PIMS in 104 patients). The long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (n = 68; 12.3%) and drugs which increases the risk of postural hypotension were the most commonly reported PIM (n = 41; 7.4%). Potentially inappropriate medication use was associated with previous history of hospital admission in the past 12 months (Odds ratio [OR]: 2.27; 95% CI 1.29–3.99) and higher number of discharge medications. Conclusions Nearly, one in three older adults with COVID-19 had been prescribed a PIM, and the proportion of older adults with polypharmacy increased after discharge. This highlights the importance of having clinical pharmacist conducting medication reviews to identify PIMs and ensure medication appropriateness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications among hospitalized older adults with COVID-19 in Malaysian tertiary hospitals

Chang¹,

Rajan²,

Huey

2023

J of Pharm Policy and Pract

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“…VASs enable patients to obtain medication refills through their preferred methods, such as delivery by post, drive-through pickup, storage in a designated medicine locker, and acquisition via an integrated drug dispensing system. These services minimize contact between pharmacists and patients and therefore reduce crowding at outpatient pharmacies [6].…”

Section: Outpatient Pharmacy Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacy preparedness in handling COVID-19 pandemic: a sharing experience from a Malaysian tertiary hospital

Thong

Selvaratanam

Tan

et al. 2021

J of Pharm Policy and Pract

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This commentary shares the experience of a hospital pharmacy department in providing healthcare services during the COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia. During this pandemic, the medication delivery system is redesigned to minimize contact among patients and the health care providers. Also, the remote medication monitoring system was implemented to deliver pharmaceutical care for inpatients. Communication technology was used to assist the pharmacist in medication counseling. QR codes to access videos demonstrating the use of devices were made available for patients. Pharmacists were also tasked with the procurement of personal protective equipment and medications needed requiring special approval from the Ministry of Health.

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“…As such, strategies to improve access to medications need to cater to a wide range of patients. Such strategies may include home delivery [32,33], medication lockers [34], teleconsultations, or face-to-face dispensing by community pharmacists [35].…”

Section: Improving Access To Medicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eye Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Report on Patients’ Perceptions and Experiences, an Asian Perspective

et al. 2021

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Introduction To elucidate the perceptions on eye care of patients affected by the disruption of outpatient and surgical ophthalmological services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted during the reopening of outpatient services at two tertiary eye care centres in Singapore and North India. Consecutive patients were recruited from general and specialist eye clinics in June 2020. Results A total of 326 patients were recruited, 200 patients from Singapore and 126 patients from New Delhi, India. The most common eye conditions were diabetic retinopathy and uveitis or ocular inflammatory conditions in the Indian centre, whereas the most common in the Singaporean centre were cataract in the pre- or postoperative stage and glaucoma. For patients from the Indian centre, 61.9% felt that COVID-19 had negatively impacted their eye disease, 58.7% were more distressed by their eye disease, 70.8% could not access appropriate eye care, 66.6% were afraid of contracting COVID-19 in the clinic, and 61.9% were accepting of teleconsultations. For patients from the Singaporean centre, 13.5% felt that COVID-19 had negatively impacted their eye disease, 19.5% were more distressed by their eye disease, 21.5% could not access appropriate eye care, 35% were afraid of contracting COVID-19 in the clinic, and only 31% were accepting of teleconsultations. Conclusion Patients from India appear to have been more negatively affected by the pandemic compared to patients from Singapore. This study highlights patients’ perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on eye care, perceived risks, ease of access to care and attitudes towards eye care during the pandemic. Patients’ perceptions are integral in developing strategies for the best care possible. There were heterogeneous responses amongst our patients; hence, there may be a role for more individualized healthcare strategies in the future. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40123-021-00444-0.

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Contactless medicine lockers in outpatient pharmacy: A safe dispensing system during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 7 publications

References 8 publications

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications among hospitalized older adults with COVID-19 in Malaysian tertiary hospitals

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications among hospitalized older adults with COVID-19 in Malaysian tertiary hospitals

Pharmacy preparedness in handling COVID-19 pandemic: a sharing experience from a Malaysian tertiary hospital

Eye Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Report on Patients’ Perceptions and Experiences, an Asian Perspective

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