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PETALING JAYA: Thousands of pensioners were left in the lurch when they were unable to collect their medicine or medical devices from their regular pharmacies.
The situation arose after the Public ServiceDepartment (PSD) ended its contract with the company supplying medicine and the devices to pensioners through the Electronic Medical Automation Supply System (e-MASS).
The department and Health Ministry are currently sorting out the problem.
Oratis Rx Sdn Bhd’s contract for the e-MASS project ended on Feb 27, and it had informed its network of community pharmacies and suppliers about this.
Kumpulan Pesara 1Malaysia (Kupekmas) secretary-general Abd Rahim Mahad said many of its members nationwide were upset because they could not get their regular supply of medicine and medical device through e-MASS.
The system enabled pensioners to get medicines or medical equipment at pharmacies registered with Oratis Rx without pensioners having to make any payment.
Pensioners could also contact the e-MASS call centre or make orders through the e-MASS portal and have Oratis Rx deliver the item to them or to the respective hospital.
Oratis Rx was known as Oratis Services when it was first appointed.
Before the contract started on Jan 28, 2012, pensioners who needed medicine or equipment not available in public hospitals had to buy them from private hospitals, pharmacies or clinics and then claim for reimbursement from the PSD.
According to Oratis Rx, there are 74,800 pensioners and their dependants were using e-MASS since 2012.
The PSD, in a statement, said pensioners could still get their medical supplies through prescriptions issued by doctors in government and university hospitals.
The PSD, in a statement, said pensioners could still get their medical supplies through prescriptions issued by doctors in government and university hospitals.
It later uploaded a video on its Facebook showing that pensioners could go through public hospitals, while those who were unable to do so could buy first and claim from the PSD or retirement fund (KWAP), or get a quotation and send it to the relevant agency without having to make payment first.
Those facing problems are advised to contact the PSD hotline (03- 8885 4099/4037/4014) during office hours or email mypesara@kwap. gov.my for further clarification.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said efforts were being made to improve on the supply of medicine and medical devices not available in public hospitals following the ending of the contract.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said efforts were being made to improve on the supply of medicine and medical devices not available in public hospitals following the ending of the contract.
The Star Malaysia4 Mar 2017By LOH FOON FONG foonfong@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Thousands of pensioners were left in the lurch when they were unable to collect their medicine or medical devices from their regular pharmacies.
The situation arose after the Public ServiceDepartment (PSD) ended its contract with the company supplying medicine and the devices to pensioners through the Electronic Medical Automation Supply System (e-MASS).
The department and Health Ministry are currently sorting out the problem.
Oratis Rx Sdn Bhd’s contract for the e-MASS project ended on Feb 27, and it had informed its network of community pharmacies and suppliers about this.
Kumpulan Pesara 1Malaysia (Kupekmas) secretary-general Abd Rahim Mahad said many of its members nationwide were upset because they could not get their regular supply of medicine and medical device through e-MASS.
The system enabled pensioners to get medicines or medical equipment at pharmacies registered with Oratis Rx without pensioners having to make any payment.
Pensioners could also contact the e-MASS call centre or make orders through the e-MASS portal and have Oratis Rx deliver the item to them or to the respective hospital.
Oratis Rx was known as Oratis Services when it was first appointed.
Before the contract started on Jan 28, 2012, pensioners who needed medicine or equipment not available in public hospitals had to buy them from private hospitals, pharmacies or clinics and then claim for reimbursement from the PSD.
According to Oratis Rx, there are 74,800 pensioners and their dependants were using e-MASS since 2012.
The PSD, in a statement, said pensioners could still get their medical supplies through prescriptions issued by doctors in government and university hospitals.
It later uploaded a video on its Facebook showing that pensioners could go through public hospitals, while those who were unable to do so could buy first and claim from the PSD or retirement fund (KWAP), or get a quotation and send it to the relevant agency without having to make payment first.
Those facing problems are advised to contact the PSD hotline (03- 8885 4099/4037/4014) during office hours or email mypesara@kwap. gov.my for further clarification.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said efforts were being made to improve on the supply of medicine and medical devices not available in public hospitals following the ending of the contract.
Source : https://www.pressreader.com/search…
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