Abu Dhabi: Medicine home delivery service launches

You can now get medicines delivered straight to your door if you live in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH– Abu Dhab), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, has rolled out a medicine home delivery initiative across the entire emirate.

Most outpatient pharmacies in the emirate have the approval to offer this service,  the DoH – Abu Dhab  said to Emirates News Agency, WAM.

All the DoH – Abu Dhab licensed pharmacies in government (under SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company) and private sectors, which adhere to mechanisms and requirements of the DoH – Abu Dhabi’s new standards for home delivery of patients’ medication, have been authorised for this purpose.

Patients will now be able to reach out to pharmacies directly to order medicines.

The service was originally launched to serve the demand of patients and for their convenience, especially for the elderly, vulnerable patients and those who live in remote areas.

However, the timing of the launch is critical as it enables the health sector to support the government strategy to ensure taking preventive measures against the new coronavirus, COVID-19, including social distancing, protecting society by encouraging them to stay at home, and ensuring the continuity of care for all residents in the Emirate, the DoH– Abu Dhabi explained.

The DoH – Abu Dhabi’s said in a statement: “Pharmacies are allowed to charge, but it is the discretion of each pharmacy whether they intend to charge for the service.”

The permitted drugs for home delivery are Over the Counter (sold directly to a consumer without a prescription), Pharmacist Only (sold without a prescription but its safe use requires professional advice) and Prescription Only Medications (that legally requires a medical prescription to be dispensed).

For those who want to get home delivery of Controlled and Semi-Controlled Medications, special authorisation is required from the DoH – Abu Dhabi to ensure all legal and regulatory requirements are met.

“We invite pharmacies that wish to provide the home delivery service to seek licensing by contacting our Health Facilities Licensing Department via e-mail: hfld@doh.gov.ae,” the DoH – Abu Dhabi added.

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