Right ePharmacy, in collaboration with Georgetown Global Health (GGH), has announced the expansion of its Lula Meds™ programme in Eswatini. Lula Meds™ uses semi-automated Collect&Go™ smart e-Lockers to provide alternative and convenient medicine pickup points for chronic stable patients.
The programme has successfully reduced long patient waiting times and improved patient convenience in the Manzini and Lubombo regions. “We are proud to continue our collaboration with Georgetown Global Health and expand the Lula Meds™ program to bring accessible and convenient medicine to even more patients in Eswatini.” said Fanie Hendriksz, MD, Right ePharmacy GGH has decided to expand the Lula Meds™ locker project by adding an additional set of lockers at a new site called Chakaza Emphilweni.
The Lula Meds™ programme has proven to be a success since its launch in 2022. A total of 6,306 parcels were loaded, with 5,337 collected, and only 2% expired. There is a clear trend of steadily increasing the number of parcels loaded and collected since the programme’s launch. To extend the reach of the Lula Meds™ programme, Right ePharmacy, in partnership with the Eswatini Ministry of Health (MOH), commissioned thirteen elockers from Right ePharmacy under the ASPIRE mechanism. In addition, the ADAPT programme is a collaboration between Right To Care (RTC) and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). “We are excited to work with the ADAPT and ASPIRE programs to expand the Collect&Go™ eLocker network further and increase medicine access for patients in the Hhohho and Shiselweni regions,” said Hendriksz.
Right ePharmacy will build on the success of Lula Meds™ by expanding the Collect&Go™ eLocker network in the Hhohho and Shiselweni regions. Four public healthcare facilities, Mbabane Hospital, Piggs Peak Government Hospital, Hlathikhulu Government Hospital, and Matsanjeni Health Centre, have been identified to deploy the eLockers. Phase 1 of the project will see the addition of these four eLocker sites established, possibly growing the entire Lula Meds™ network beyond eight sites in phase 2.
Lula Meds™ aims to improve medicine adherence and the overall healthcare outcomes of patients using chronic medicines, improve dispensing capacity at public healthcare facilities, decongest healthcare facilities, and increase access to medicines for patients. “As a company, we will continue to provide technical support remotely and work closely with our partners to deliver innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions,” Hendriksz explained.