From clothing to bread, online stores make it possible to get all the necessities delivered to your door. Now pharmacies are giving customers the same easy access to medication
There is nothing as frustrating as standing in a queue – especially when you are in a hurry or tired after a long day. This is even more true at busy pharmacies where pharmacists never seem to move fast enough and customers have many questions. But what if queues truly were a thing of the past?
Well, fortunately they could be, with many pharmacies introducing innovative services to offer customers convenient access to medication – even when a prescription is required. One of the biggest pharmacy chains in the country, Dis-Chem, is at the forefront of these innovations.
It started off by introducing a centralised database that allows customers to get their prescription filled at any of the 170 Dis-Chem pharmacies in South Africa. Even while on holiday or travelling, customers have access to their medication.
More recently, Dis-Chem introduced the PackMyMeds system, which allows customers to have their medication pre-packaged for easy collection at a Dis-Chem pharmacy of their choice or delivery to their home or place of work. Moreover, this service means that those who prefer to pick up their medication are allowed to jump the queue!
Dispensary deliveries within a 15 km radius are free of charge. Customers simply order their medication on the Dis-Chem app, on the website at www.dischem.co.za/pack-my-meds or via the customer careline at 0860 347 243.
“We know how important it is to take chronic medication regularly and on time,” says Debbie Wells, advertising manager at Dis-Chem. “Your medication will be pre-packed for your collection or delivery. Furthermore, you are also reminded to renew your scripts in time, so that you can continue to take your medication on time.”
The PackMyMeds service will send an SMS to the customer as a reminder to order their chronic medication before it runs out.
The Dis-Chem online store allows customers to purchase other items, including wellness products and toiletries, which can be delivered or collected in store. Through the Dis-Chem app, among other things, customers can order and repeat scripts, make appointments for the Wellness Clinics and Strategy Salons, view their benefit card balances, check product prices and read articles on health and wellness.
Dis-Chem Wellness Clinics are run by trained nursing practitioners at every pharmacy. Customers can have their blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol tested, be screened for HIV and receive HIV counselling and diabetes care as well as vitamin injections and flu vaccines. The clinics can share this information with the relevant medical aid if a customer is part of a rewards programme.
“Introducing Dis-Chem’s new innovation: Care Connect. Your first stop is the Dis-Chem clinic sister, who will complete a health assessment and professional consultation. Should you need a doctor, your sister can provide a video consultation with a Dis-Chem Care Connect doctor,” Wells explains.
“The doctor can renew your repeat or provide a new prescription, and supply any referral letter or sick note needed. You can get your meds there and then.”
With all this innovation, Dis-Chem truly is a one-stop shop for all your health and wellness needs!
