JOHOR BARU: Johor is expanding its free Medicine-by-Post service to include temperature-controlled medicines, with the enhanced service being introduced at selected healthcare facilities ahead of a possible statewide rollout.
State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the expansion would enable more patients to receive their prescribed follow-up medication at home without having to travel to healthcare facilities.
He said the state government had spent RM2.766mil on the service from August 2024 until August this year, with 469,657 parcels of medication delivered to patients through Pos Malaysia during the period.
Ling said the service had seen a significant increase in usage, with an average of 24,937 parcels delivered monthly from Jan 1 to Aug 31 this year, compared with 9,664 parcels a month in 2024.
“This represents a 225% increase in deliveries, indicating greater public awareness and increased use of the service,” he said at the launch of the temperature-controlled medicine delivery service at Sultanah Aminah Hospital here yesterday.
He said the expansion would further improve access to medication, particularly for patients who require medication that must be stored and transported within a specific temperature range.
The temperature-controlled delivery service, which began on Aug 1, is currently available at six Health Ministry facilities, including Sultanah Aminah Hospital, Sultan Ismail Hospital, Pasir Gudang Hospital and Kempas Health Clinic.
The service offers same-day delivery, enabling patients to receive temperature-sensitive medicines while ensuring that the required cold-chain procedures are maintained.
Ling said the initial rollout at selected facilities in Johor Baru would allow Pos Malaysia to test its systems and equipment to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures set by the health authorities.
“If the service runs smoothly and proves effective, we will look at expanding it throughout Johor,” he said, adding that the state government hopes to continue supporting the initiative next year.
Besides easing patients’ travel and financial burdens, the service aims to reduce pharmacy congestion, allowing healthcare staff to prioritize patients needing in-person consultations.
