Programme to optimise usage of medicines at home
MIRI: The rate of compliance with pharmacist’s recommendations on medication among patients is still low in Sarawak, and this ongoing issue significantly contributes to medicine wastage.
According to Sarawak Health Department deputy director (pharmacy) Abu Hassan Alshaari Abdul Jabar, the proper intake of medicines according to a pharmacist’s recommendation could prevent wastage from occurring.
“Therefore, this Duta Prihatin Masyarakat (DPM) is an initiative to ensure that the management of the medicines at home is in the right and safe way, where our volunteers – known as ‘Know-YourMedicines-Ambassadors’ – would visit the selected patients at their residences.
“In addition to optimising the use of the drugs, the other objective of this programme is also to increase the patient’s understanding of medication,” he said in his opening remarks during the opening the DPM programme at Masjid Darul Istiqamah in Kampung Luak here yesterday.
Abu Hassan said the inaugural programme at Kampung Luak was aimed at mobilising the volunteer service and also for the government and the volunteers to collaborate in conducting consumer awareness activities related to the use of quality medicines.
“Our focus is to provide assistance and support to senior citizens at home, as well as housewives who have been the all-round guardians of their families.
“We provide health screening for those who need it, and also drug management counselling. Exposure to home medicine management will allow them ( homebound patients) to be more competent for themselves and also their families,” he said.
Miri Health Department officer Dr Veronica Lugah, Miri Hospital director Dr Jack Wong, Masjid Darul Istiqamah committee deputy chairman Hassan Shaikh Hadi and Kampung Luak headman Abdul Rahman Bolhasan were also present at the event.