JOHOR BARU: Johor is expanding its free medicine-by-post service to include temperature-controlled medicines, with the new service being introduced in health facilities around here first before a possible statewide rollout.
State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the latest expansion would allow more patients to receive their medication at home without having to travel to healthcare facilities.
He said the service, introduced in 2024, recorded an average of 9,664 parcels sent to patients a month between Jan 1 until July 31 the same year.
“However, between Jan 1 until Aug 31 this year, the service delivery recorded an average of 24,937 of parcels, which shows a positive increase.
“This means more patients are aware of the initiative and are using the service,” he said at a press conference after launching the temperature-controlled medicine delivery service at Sultanah Aminah Hospital here on Monday (Oct 12).
Ling said the temperature-controlled medicine delivery service would initially be available at health facilities around here to allow Pos Malaysia to test its systems and equipment to ensure they complied with the health authorities’ standard operating procedures.
“If it runs smoothly and proves effective, we will try to expand it throughout Johor,” he said, adding that the state government hoped to continue the initiative next year.
Ling added the service would reduce patients’ travelling expenses and ease congestion at healthcare facilities, allowing staff to focus on patients who needed to be seen in person.
