Alternative mechanisms for delivery of medication in South Africa: A scoping review
South African Family Practice
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Alternative mechanisms for delivery of medication in South Africa: A scoping review | |
| Creator | Mash, Robert Christian, Carmen Chigwanda, Ruvimbo V. | |
| Description | Background: The number of people in South Africa with chronic conditions is a challenge to the health system. In response to the coronavirus infection, health services in Cape Town introduced home delivery of medication by community health workers. In planning for the future, they requested a scoping review of alternative mechanisms for delivery of medication to patients in primary health care in South Africa.Methods: Databases were systematically searched using a comprehensive search strategy to identify studies from the last 10 years. A methodological guideline for conducting scoping reviews was followed. A standardised template was used to extract data and compare study characteristics and findings. Data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively.Results: A total of 4253 publications were identified and 26 included. Most publications were from the last 5 years (n = 21), research (n = 24), Western Cape (n = 15) and focused on adherence clubs (n = 17), alternative pick-up-points (n = 14), home delivery (n = 5) and HIV (n = 17). The majority of alternative mechanisms were supported by a centralised dispensing and packaging system. New technology such as smart lockers and automated pharmacy dispensing units have been piloted. Patients benefited from these alternatives and had improved adherence. Available evidence suggests alternative mechanisms were cheaper and more beneficial than attending the facility to collect medication.Conclusion: A mix of options tailored to the local context and patient choice that can be adequately managed by the system would be ideal. More economic evaluations are required of the alternatives, particularly before going to scale and for newer technology. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2021-08-24 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/safp.v63i1.5274 | |
| Source | South African Family Practice; Vol 63, No 1 (2021): Part 3; 8 pages 2078-6204 2078-6190 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5274/6866
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5274/6867
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5274/6868
https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5274/6869
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