Pharmacy

The Central Pharmacy provides a one-stop service for patients to fill their prescriptions from outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, and the Urgent Care Centre (UCC). Our pharmacists also provide useful advice for minor ailments that cater to the specific needs of every individual.

We offer a wide range of products, ranging from over-the-counter pharmaceuticals and medical devices, to health foods and supplements, at the retail section of the Central Pharmacy.

Our Pharmacy team plays an important role in providing advice and information to patients and the general public on the use of medicines. We aim to help patients understand the importance of their therapy, how to manage potential side effects, and advise on the most appropriate way of taking medications, ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes.

The Central Pharmacy is located at our Main Building (Block 1).

Mondays to Fridays: 9am to 6.30pm
Saturdays: 9am to 3pm
(We are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays)

In the inpatient setting, our pharmacists add value to the care and safety of our patients by:

1. Medication Reconciliation and Medication Therapy Management

   Medication reconciliation and medication therapy management is a service that aims to optimise clinical outcomes by managing drug therapies for patients with chronic diseases. Our pharmacists have demonstrated high rates of patient interventions and documentation of medications, medication interactions, drug-related admissions, and previous drug failures.

   Our pharmacists perform the following tasks:

   • Obtain and maintain accurate and complete medication information for patients, and use the information within and across the continuum of care, to ensure that medication is used safely and effectively.
   • To review medications and identify any drug-related problems.
   • To communicate with doctors and caregivers about medication plans, in order to improve patients' understanding of their diseases/medications, reducing drug-adverse events, meeting patient-defined clinical goals, and improving medication adherence.
2. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

   Maximising the effectiveness whilst minimising the toxicity of medications, such as antimicrobial agents, is an essential step in the treatment of infections. One such method to improve antimicrobial dosing in individual patients is through application of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).

   The roles of our pharmacists are to:

   • Perform critical evaluation of patient-specific parameters, and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the specific antibiotics.
   • Ensure timely monitoring of toxicity and efficacy of antibiotic treatment.
3. Anticoagulant service

   Our pharmacists help in managing anticoagulation therapy, when it comes to inpatient care. Therapy management by pharmacists had shown to increase the percentage of therapeutic anticoagulation therapy and reduce hospitalizations for thromboembolic or bleeding events.

   Our pharmacists do the following:

   • Timely evaluation of patient-specific pharmacokinetic response
   • Working in collaboration with doctors and nurses, to ensure appropriate monitoring and administration of oral and intravenous anticoagulants.
4. Diabetes Mellitus and Blood Sugar Monitoring

   Today, one in three Singaporeans has a lifetime risk of developing diabetes, and the number of patients with the condition is estimated to reach one million by 2050. On sick days, serious illness can cause a rise in blood sugar levels due to the effects of stress hormones such as corticosteroid and adrenaline being produced by the body. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels during inpatient will complicate medical management and increase risk of undesirable complications, such as excessively high levels of blood sugar. Inpatient pharmacists help to optimise blood sugar control in the wards, and prevent complications from arising.

   Role of pharmacists:

   • Review patients' sugar profile and correlate with oral intake, use of anti-diabetic medications and any side effects. Identify undesirable sugar level trend and optimise management in ward and also upon discharge.
   • Provide in-depth diabetes counselling to patients. These include disease management, hypoglycaemia management, diabetes medication and insulin injection technique.

Diabetes Clinic

Diabetes is a serious health concern, as it is a chronic disease that may deteriorate and lead to blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, nerve damage, and even lead to the amputation of limbs. The Diabetes Clinic is part of Clinic J (Integrated Care Clinic).

Role of pharmacist in Diabetes Clinic:

• Work in collaboration with doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals to combat the growing burden of diabetes. Diabetes pharmacists provide care for patients with diabetes based on referrals made by doctors.
• Provide diabetes counseling to patients. Counselling include disease management, hypoglycemia management, diabetes medication initiated and insulin injection technique
• Review patients' sugar profile via diabetes phone consult and resolve any medication-related issues
• Provide advice to doctors and ward pharmacists in managing patients with poor glycemic control

Osteoporosis Clinic

Osteoporosis is a national health priority in Singapore. Singapore has the highest incidence of hip fractures in Asia. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will 1 in 5 men aged over 50. Untreated osteoporosis may increase risk of recurrent osteoporotic fractures, disability, morbidity, mortality and cost. The Osteoporosis Clinic is also housed under Clinic J (Integrated Care Clinic).

Role of pharmacist in Osteoporosis Clinic:

• Work in collaboration with endocrine, rheumatology, geriatric and orthopedic departments in the management of patients with osteoporosis to provide a one-stop service for patients
• Work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure compliance with treatment guidelines, including appropriate dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan frequency, pharmacotherapy and calcium and vitamin D supplementation
• Provide education about osteoporosis medication use and importance of adherence to osteoporosis therapy.
• Provide non-pharmacologic counseling to reduce modifiable risk factors (smoking cessation, diet, fall prevention and exercise)
• Provide phone consult to patient to ensure medication compliance and resolve any medication-related issues
• Refer suitable patients to primary care or polyclinic

Medication Reconciliation Clinic

The Medication Reconciliation Clinic, part of Clinic J (Integrated Care Clinic) aims to organize and manage patient's medications by screening through their medication records and histories. Pharmacist will provide professional one-to-one medication counselling session with patients so as to empower them with the accurate medication information and knowledge. We aim to reduce drug-related problems, medication wastages and work closely with doctors to provide a holistic therapeutic regimen for each patient.

Role of pharmacist in Medication Reconciliation Clinic:

• Work in collaboration with doctors in the Integrated Care Clinic to identify any drug related problems, incomplete therapeutic regimens and potential medication hoarding problems.
• To obtain accurate and complete medication history for each patient.
• To improve medication compliance by customizing medication regimen to each individual patient.
• Educate and inform patients and caregivers about their medication plan in order to improve their understandings about medications and diseases.

You may order via the Healthhub Mobile App or NUHS App.

Payment is required for all home delivery orders before delivery can be arranged.

Delivery will be arranged in the next 2-3 working days after payment is made.

Please ensure that you have at least 1 week of medications before requesting a Home Delivery.

For urgent supply, please arrange for self-collection at the pharmacy.

The NUHS App allows patients to order their prescriptive medication top-ups and refills through the mobile application.

You can choose to have your medication delivered directly to your home, or collect from the pharmacy when it is ready. The mobile app also keeps track of your order history when you login via SingPass.

Click on image below to download the step-by-step guide.

You can view, make, change or cancel selected Specialist Outpatient Clinic appointment(s) through the NUHS App.

From 1st Jun 2023, a delivery fee of $4.32 (w/GST) will be charged for all orders

*Additional fees may apply for urgent delivery or bulky items.

Click here (PDF, 548 KB) to access the FAQ on delivery charges.

• Patients with a valid Alexandra Hospital prescription.
• Patients with sufficient medication supply at home. Please place your order at least 1 week before your medications run out.
• Patients without urgent medications.
• Only applicable for non-controlled medications.

1. Download the AXS Payment app via “Google Play Store” or “App Store”.
2. Login to the app.
3. Select "Bills".

   

4. Select "Healthcare".

   

5. Select "Alexandra Hospital".

   

6. Input the details required and click "Confirm", and "PAY Now".

   

   Note: There will be a basic validation check on the Case Numbers, and an error message will be shown, if the given Case Number is invalid.

7. Choose preferred payment mode under Payment Mode Selection.

   

The Know Your Meds Series: Learn how to manage your medications through interactive video and infographics.

Click here.