CoCT records increase in dispense of medication at pharmacies; September marks Pharmacy Month

More than 6.8 million pharmacy items were dispensed by the City of Cape Town in the 2022/23 financial year. This is 400 000 more than the previous financial year.

The seven percent growth year-on-year, released by City Health, comes as September marks Pharmacy Month.

PICTURE: CDC

According to the City, Medications most used within City Health are those for the management of TB and HIV/Aids, as well as vaccines in terms of the expanded immunisation programmes for children.

Mayco member for community services and health, Patricia van der Ross, said this month shows the important role that pharmacists and support personnel play in ensuring public health and safety.

‘’The statistics are a clear signal of the important link that pharmacies are in our health chain, but it’s also indicative of more people getting tested, and starting treatment, which is good news. I think it’s important for the public to understand and appreciate how critical the work done in our dispensaries is to their overall health and well-being. When asked about their key message to clients, our pharmacists encouraged people to be honest and open about medications that they are on, and to try and source all of their medication from a single pharmacy, where possible. Not only does this mean that staff are familiar with your medical history, but it is also easier to manage different medications should the client have multiple conditions,’ said Patricia Van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

The theme for Pharmacy Month for 2023 is educating the public on the role of pharmacists and pharmacy support personnel in delivering primary healthcare services to the community; promoting the uptake of immunisation and educating the public on adverse drug identification and reporting.

Van der Ross said the City’s pharmacists dispense medication, but are also responsible for appropriate storage and care of medication, including vaccinations and medication requiring refrigeration.

 

‘’Staff pre-package medication for chronic patients, to reduce waiting times when they have to refill their prescriptions. This also helps reduce waiting times for other clients. They are also able to advise on any potential adverse reactions to medications, and how to safely manage your prescriptions.’’

The Mayco Member urged the public to dispose of expired or unwanted medication by returning it to their nearest clinic or private pharmacy for safe disposal.

‘’Most of us have medicine cabinets or drawers at home, and it’s very likely that some of the items have expired. Let’s all do a thorough check and see what needs to be disposed of. Please also remember to not leave medication lying around, particularly if you have small children or pets in the home. Medication is designed to save lives, but if used incorrectly, it could potentially cause great harm,’’ said Patricia Van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.

 

Done By: Mitchum George