Taking medicine literally: This pharmacy launched Malaysia’s 1st smart medication lockers

Have you ever needed to pick up some medicine but all the pharmacies have closed? Or perhaps felt embarrassed about needing specific types of medication?

Well, Alpro Pharmacy might just have the solution you need. 

Recently, the homegrown pharmacy company launched Na-Yao, which literally translates to “get medicine” in Mandarin Chinese. 

Na-Yao is a secure, smart medication dispensing system designed as a smart locker that allows individuals to retrieve their prescriptions 24/7. 

How it works is that prescriptions are prepared by Alpro Pharmacy and stored in the lockers. Patients will then receive a notification when their medication is ready and can access it using a unique code authentication.

The system is SIRIM-certified, ensuring its quality and safety standards. Each smart medication locker is managed by a dedicated Alpro Pharmacy outlet, which also monitors whether the user has retrieved their medication on time to ensure adherence to their prescribed regimen.

With no additional fees for using the locker, Na-Yao aims to make medicine more accessible to Malaysians in a safe and secure way.

The big idea

Speaking to Vulcan Post is Sean Liew, corporate pharmacy solutions manager at Alpro Pharmacy.

Sean shared that the concept for Na-Yao emerged from growing concerns about medication safety and confidentiality. 

“Alpro Pharmacy recognised that medications delivered to unsecured locations, such as mailboxes or areas exposed to direct sunlight, could lead to potential degradation of their efficacy,” he pointed out. 

This prompted the team to create a solution that offers 24/7 access to medications in a secure, private setting.

Not only does this solution ensure medication can be stored securely, protected from environmental hazards, and accessible at any time, the approach also streamlines the process of obtaining medications prescribed through teleconsultation. 

This particularly benefits employees who work shifts and may need to collect their medications at convenient locations like their workplace.

Na-Yao is designed to securely store and dispense various forms of medication, including tablets, capsules, liquids, and sprays. 

However, there are limitations on what can be stored. Highly sensitive medications, such as cold-chain items and those categorised under Dangerous Drugs & Psychotropic Medications under the Poison Act, are not allowed in Na-Yao due to the need for specialised handling and verification processes to ensure safety and compliance with healthcare regulations in Malaysia.

Currently, Na-Yao is being introduced in a pilot phase at selected corporate partner locations in Klang Valley. These include factories, manufacturing companies, and office buildings that have a high number of long-term medication users and workers who operate on shift schedules.

Serving an overlooked demographic

In this age, it seems like there’s a pharmacy every other corner, especially if you live in a more populated area. With that, it has become more convenient than ever to pick up your medication at any time of the day. 

“While access to pharmacies is generally convenient, Na-Yao goes beyond just convenience by offering 24/7 access to medications, ensuring privacy, and providing secure medication storage and dispensing,” Sean said. 

The team added that the target demographic for Na-Yao includes individuals with demanding or unpredictable work schedules, such as professionals and shift workers, who need reliable and secure access to their medications. 

Of course, it also serves those who prioritise confidentiality and safety in their healthcare management.

Furthermore, the system is also beneficial for patients with chronic conditions who require regular medication refills but may find it challenging to visit a pharmacy during standard hours.

Not just a regular locker 

To ensure the privacy and safety of medications, Na-Yao uses a unique QR code identifier that ensures only the authorised individual can access their medication parcel. 

As for the medication safety, Alpro’s internal team follows a strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure the safety of medications before they are placed in the locker. 

For one, the parcels are securely packaged to prevent anyone from seeing the type of medication inside.  They also provide timely updates and counselling to users, ensuring that the parcels are properly managed and securely stored.

And of course, the machines themselves are SIRIM-certified, meaning it is a safely built electronic appliance for consumer use.

“Although Na-Yao lockers may resemble standard lockers used by courier companies, they have been enhanced both systemically and operationally to ensure the safety and convenience of medications,” Sean said. 

Users can also access support through a helpline and online troubleshooting resources if they encounter any issues with the locker or accessing their medications.

A continuation of Alpro’s mission

A homegrown company, Alpro Pharmacy’s first outlet was founded in Port Dickson in 2002. 

“Our founders were not satisfied with what they saw as old-fashioned, product price oriented, and complacent methods of running a pharmacy store,” Sean said. “Prioritising customers over profit, we emphasise on personalised pharmaceutical care and customer service.”

Today, the company operates over 300 touchpoints nationwide, including Alpro Pharmacy, Alpro Clinic, Alpro Physio, Alpro Audiologi, and Alpro Baby.

The launch of Na-Yao represents another milestone for Alpro Pharmacy, aligning with their core mission to enhance medication safety and accessibility. 

A unique offering, Na-Yao also helps Alpro Pharmacy maintain a competitive edge in the industry. 

Sean shared that the reception for their smart medication locker has been positive thus far. The team has received a high number of inquiries particularly from corporate clients who hope to provide better and safer medication access to their employees. 

Thus, the short-term plan for Na-Yao is to enter more selected corporate partner locations in Klang Valley. Ultimately, though, the long-term plan is to expand Na-Yao to more locations across Malaysia, bringing their innovative solution to more people in the nation. 

Featured Image Credit: Alpro Pharmacy