Patient Assistants, Supply Chain Facilitation Boost Red Crescent Pharmacy Services

According to a report by the Public Relations and International Affairs Unit of the Medical Procurement Organization, in line with the organization's overarching policies and with the aim of honoring clients and facilitating the process of receiving services, the physical presence of "Patient Assistants" wearing official Red Crescent uniforms has been operationalized across the pharmacies. These assistants, who are present in person among patients throughout the pharmacy and identify those in need of help, play a significant role in guiding clients, particularly elderly patients and persons with disabilities, by providing precise directions, optimizing the medicine delivery process, and significantly reducing waiting times. This is in addition to the information desk stationed at the pharmacy entrance, which is staffed by separate colleagues. In this regard, and in order to reduce crowding, prevent unnecessary visits, and alleviate client stress, the admission process for chemotherapy patients at the Central 24-hour pharmacy has been moved to the early morning hours. Furthermore, by allocating dedicated spaces for the stationing of representatives of basic and supplementary insurance providers at the affiliated pharmacies and through extensive insurance coverage (particularly at the Tehranpars pharmacy), while facilitating clients' insurance affairs, an effective step has been taken toward reducing traffic, urban commutes, and enhancing patients' peace of mind.

In the area of specialized services, the allocation of the Red Crescent super-specialty pharmacy to patients with MS (multiple sclerosis), transplant, ophthalmic, and diabetes conditions, as well as plasma-derived products, has significantly improved the quality and specialization of services provided to these patient groups. Concurrently, in the area of developing technical infrastructure, the standardization of pharmaceutical warehouses has been implemented with the aim of mechanizing inventory management, facilitating precise data retrieval, and accelerating the prescription admission process.

It is worth noting that the Medical Procurement Organization, as the primary custodian of supplying single-prescription medicines in the country, has held numerous meetings with relevant authorities and suppliers in this field. The regular holding of think-tank sessions, situation room meetings, crisis committee meetings, and the Council of Managers within the framework of the organization's overarching goals demonstrates that the Medical Procurement Organization and its subsidiary companies, leveraging their infrastructure, capabilities, and specialized and committed workforce, have continually updated their strategies in accordance with the country's conditions so that the continuity of the production, supply, and distribution chain of medicines and medical supplies, and the realization of the humanitarian objectives of the Red Crescent Society, may be preserved with strength.