Nighttime is often a peak time for acute health issues, and accessing medicine during these hours can be challenging. Going out to buy medicine is often inconvenient, and visiting a hospital can be time-consuming. A 24-hour medicine delivery service can greatly ease such worries. Recently, Huangyan District, addressing public demand for pharmaceutical services, opened the city’s first “round-the-clock” 24-hour smart pharmacy and child-friendly pharmacy to enhance pharmaceutical services.

At 10 p.m., Ms. Wang Fang, a resident of Yingchun Community on Xicheng Street, placed an order for medicine through a delivery app from the 24-hour smart pharmacy at Baoji New Fuyuan East Road Store. In just about 20 minutes, she received her medication, and the efficient, convenient service earned praise from her entire family.

“My daughter’s cough suddenly worsened today. After an online consultation, I was advised to use ambroxol hydrochloride. I quickly ordered the medicine, and thankfully the pharmacy on Fuyuan East Road is open 24 hours, so I didn’t have to rush to the hospital. This round-the-clock service is incredibly convenient for people like us!” said a delighted Ms. Wang Fang.

The “round-the-clock” smart pharmacy offers three service models: self-service medicine purchase, prescription-based medicine purchase, and consultation-based medicine purchase. It stocks over 1,000 items, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, medical devices, and health foods. Citizens can purchase medications directly in-store or opt for contactless delivery through platforms like Meituan and Ele.me, ensuring 24-hour access to a wide range of pharmaceutical and medical products.

“We currently stock 670 types of products, with around 1,800 boxes of medicines and medical devices, covering 34 categories such as treatments for colds, gastrointestinal issues, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and injuries from falls and bruises. We plan to adjust the quantity and variety of medications based on customer demand,” said Pan Luxi, the manager of the Huangyan branch of Baoji New Pharmaceutical Chain Co., Ltd.

Additionally, the smart pharmacy is equipped with self-service devices for measuring height and blood pressure, as well as recycling bins for expired medication. A video display is also available to provide public health education on the proper use of medicines and medical devices.

“The Community Pharmaceutical Service Station is one of Zhejiang Province’s practical livelihood projects for 2023. Currently, there are eight service stations across the district, including the Baoji New Fuyuan East Road Store. In addition to traditional services like slicing Chinese herbal medicine, processing Chinese herbal powder, and providing pharmaceutical volunteer services, we have added 24-hour smart medicine purchasing and a child-friendly pharmacy to make consulting and buying medication more convenient for the public,” explained Chen Susu, Deputy Section Chief of the Medical Device Regulation Department at the Huangyan District Market Supervision Bureau.

Currently, the Huangyan District Market Supervision Bureau has developed an innovative “Child-Friendly Pharmacy,” taking into account the proximity of the Community Pharmaceutical Service Station to kindergartens and residential areas. With the theme “Growing Together Under the Blue Sky,” this initiative focuses on children as a special demographic by setting up dedicated sections and counters for pediatric prescription and over-the-counter medications, and equipping the pharmacy with dedicated pediatric pharmacists to provide guidance on children’s medication. The pharmacy also utilizes holidays and special events to conduct awareness campaigns, fostering a child-friendly environment that promotes proper medication use and healthy growth. Additionally, they seek to enhance and implement services such as maintaining medication records, public health education, and knowledge lectures.

Mr. Peng, a local resident, shared, “Now when you walk into the pharmacy, it’s easy to find the dedicated children’s medication section, and the pharmacist on duty immediately provides medication guidance. Buying medicine has become increasingly convenient.”

“The concerns of the people are my concerns; the hopes of the people are my actions.” This year, the Huangyan District Market Supervision Bureau will continue to focus on “proactive government, effective services, and public awareness.” The goal is to deepen the work of the Community Pharmaceutical Service Station by moving away from traditional practices like displaying services and maintaining records, and instead digging deeper into the actual needs of the community. By offering convenient services tailored to different groups and continuously improving pharmaceutical services and volunteer outreach, the bureau aims to enhance the public’s experience, satisfaction, and sense of safety when purchasing and using medication.