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• Hospitals choose Mediq

Home care guaranteed for patients

As of 1 January 2012, the issuing of specialised pharmaceuticals to patients (like TNF-alpha blockers) will be the responsibility of hospitals rather than pharmacies. Mediq believes it is important for patients to receive specialist pharmaceutical care where they most need it. This may be at patients’ homes, at their own public pharmacy or at a hospital pharmacy. Twelve hospitals have already chosen the specialised Mediq Pharma Services for their patients.

The government has decided to shift the costs of TNF-alpha blockers to the hospital budget as of 1 January 2012. TNF-alpha blockers are effective but expensive pharmaceuticals that are prescribed, among other things, for the treatment of rheumatism, inflammation of of the colon and psoriasis (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and psoriatic arthritis). What is involved is not only the issuing of pharmaceuticals, but also providing guidance in terms of administering them, as well as supplying nursing care for patients at home, if necessary.

Focus on patient care
The starting point is that nothing changes for the patient. Via Mediq’s logistics network, patients receive the pharmaceuticals in special cool boxes delivered at any desired time, to any desired address. On the instructions of the physician, Mediq also provides specialised nursing care to guide patients regarding instructions or injections. A recent study showed that patients greatly appreciate this service, and rate it as 8.5 and higher. Also it appears the majority of patients prefers to have this care at home.

The care pharmacy of Mediq Pharma Services has been an expert for years in the field of complex care involving, among other things, specialist pharmaceuticals and the delivery of tailored packages to hospitals. Nicole Schakenraad, Director of Mediq Pharma Services: ‘The advantage for hospitals is that they themselves no longer need to completely organise the pharmaceutical and nursing care and issuing of TNF-alpha blockers. Mediq Pharma Services has the experience and size, and we are currently already providing specialist pharmaceutical care and pharmaceuticals to patients at home, via their own public pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy.’

Mediq Pharma Services is part of Mediq Pharmacies Netherlands.

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