No more RM12.50 medicine delivery fee, but for rural Sabah patients, the bigger savings may be the journey

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 3 — Starting on October 1, patients using the Ubat Melalui Pos (UMP) service in Sabah will no longer be required to pay a RM12.50 delivery fee for their repeat medication. This change removes a cost that was more than twice the RM5.70 previously charged in Peninsular Malaysia. The primary beneficiaries are expected to be about 87,000 registered UMP patients across the country, many of whom reside in rural and interior areas of Sabah.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil revealed that the government would bear the delivery cost, with an initial RM5 million allocation approved through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The UMP initiative began on October 1, aiming to ensure patients in all states can enjoy the service without bearing any additional fees.

Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad emphasized that the free delivery initiative was particularly beneficial for rural patients who often have to travel extensive distances to collect their medicines.

The UMP service allows patients to have their repeat medication delivered to a chosen location, thereby eliminating the need for repeated trips to health facilities. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Health's broader objective to enhance patient-centered healthcare, especially for elderly individuals and working professionals who face challenges traveling frequently to health centers.

UMP has been in operation since 2011 in cooperation with Pos Malaysia, with existing coverage in several Ministry of Health facilities across Sabah, including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hospital Ranau, and Hospital Tawau, among others.

However, for patients in more remote areas of Sabah, the savings may extend far beyond the delivery charge. These individuals often incur additional expenses such as fuel costs, public transport fares, time away from work, or assistance from family members for travel to health facilities. Yet, the availability of delivery services in Sabah’s most isolated settlements may still depend on the coverage provided at their specific address.

For instance, the pharmacy at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital only delivers to addresses within Pos Laju’s coverage area. The service excludes the supply of psychotropic or dangerous drugs, extemporaneous preparations, and medicines requiring special storage.

Clarification is pending on the exact number of Sabah patients currently utilizing UMP, the anticipated beneficiaries of the free delivery initiative, and the reach of the service into remote and interior villages. Patients can manage their repeat medication through MyUBAT, which enables participating Ministry of Health facilities to offer services like medicine-by-post. The Government has urged patients to register for UMP services through official channels, rather than relying on social media accounts.