Pharmacy ATM a modern marvel
Users thrilled by meds dispenser
A woman who has lived with HIV for nearly 30 years believes a “pharmacy ATM” system is the best way to deliver medications to people with chronic illness.
Philda Dladla, 59, was among those attending the official launch of Africa’s first pharmacy ATM at the Alexandra Plaza, outside Johannesburg, yesterday.
Dladla had been using the system since November.
The Pharmacy Dispensing Unit (PDU), which was launched by the Gauteng health department and private company Right ePharmacy, is expected to be rolled out in other areas.
It uses robotic technology to dispense medication to patients with chronic illnesses such as HIV, diabetes and asthma.
It looks similar to a regular bank ATM but, instead of cash, boxes of tablets come out when the patient presses the dispense button.
Dladla said she was diagnosed with HIV in 1989.
She said she had collected antiretrovirals (ARVs) from clinics over the years but the pharmacy ATM system had proven to be the best.
“You can imagine how many clinics I’ve been to. I was tired of standing in long queues. I had to wake up at 5am to get there on time.”
Dladla said she was walking past the pharmacy ATM in November when she decided to pop in. “When they explained how it works I became interested. They asked me to bring my referral letter from my clinic and I have been using it ever since.”
First-time user Tonic Phukubje, 73, who usually collects her blood pressure medication from a clinic, had never seen a PDU before.
“I love this. I can do my shopping and get my medication at the same place,” Phukubje said.
The ATM dispenses medication in about three minutes and operates through an interactive touch screen. Patients can speak to the pharmacist.
Once patients’ files have been uploaded onto the database, they are issued with green cards and have to use a pin code to use the machine.
Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa said the PDU would revolutionise public healthcare in South Africa.
She said 4 000 patients had already been uploaded on the database while 18 000 medicines were dispensed.