Hospitals go the distance with meds pickup option

Wallis Wang

Starting next Tuesday, public hospital patients will have the option of collecting their medication at more than 100 pharmacies within two major health chains - Mannings and Watsons - according to an announcement by the Hospital Authority.

Patients will only need to pay a delivery fee of HK$65 for each prescription, the same as the existing home delivery service.

The authority's chief pharmacist, William Chui Chun-ming, said the 114 new collection points are located within Mannings and Watsons stores that have on-site pharmacists.

These pharmacists will receive the delivered meds and notify patients when their medications are ready for pick-up.

To collect them, patients must present a QR code for identity verification.

The pharmacists will then open the package in front of the patients and provide instructions.

Chui emphasized the advantages of the new arrangement, saying, "Community pharmacists will be handling the medications directly, as they are sensitive items that require proper storage to maintain quality." He added that patients will have the opportunity to directly ask pharmacists questions and receive guidance.

The HA plans to conduct regular visits to the collection points to ensure service quality.

"Frequent use of the drug delivery service may encourage patients to consult community pharmacists for minor illnesses or medication inquiries in the future," he said.

To use the service, patients must register on the authority's mobile application, HA Go.

Most medications, including those requiring refrigeration, are eligible for delivery, with a flat fee of HK$65 regardless of quantity, weight or category.

However, controlled substances such as sleeping pills and sedatives must be collected in person at hospitals.

Chui also said that meds are typically sent to the collection points the day after a consultation.

Therefore, patients who need immediate supplies should collect them directly from public hospitals.

Since its launch last March, the drug delivery service has successfully delivered meds to over 20,000 patients, averaging around 100 users daily.