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Curbside pharmacy services garner praise from beneficiaries

  • Published
  • By Lori Newman
  • Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas --  

To help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the San Antonio Military Health System has implemented curbside drop-off and pick-up pharmacy services at many of its locations.

Since its inception, Brooke Army Medical Center pharmacies at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston have safely served more than 20,800 beneficiaries, and 59th Medical Wing pharmacies have served over 18,500 beneficiaries. 

“Due to the COVID crisis, the BAMC Pharmacy team quickly came together on very short notice and successfully made the new curbside pharmacy service a reality in less than 48 hours,” said Army Col. Stacey Causey, BAMC Department of Pharmacy chief. “This showed me that my team took this crisis very seriously and stepped up to do what was needed to ensure the safety of the patients visiting the pharmacy.”

BAMC’s curbside service began March 26 at the Main Pharmacy, Fort Sam Community Pharmacy, Capt. Jennifer M. Moreno Clinic, and Spc. Taylor Burke Clinic at JBSA-Camp Bullis.  Additionally, the Schertz and Westover Medical Homes offer drive-thru pharmacy services 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

In order to better service JBSA-Lackland beneficiaries, the pharmacy consolidated its operations. The JBSA-Lackland Satellite Pharmacy and JBSA-Lackland Commissary are temporarily closed.  A one-stop pharmacy curb-side service was implemented March 30 at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center at JBSA-Lackland. The pharmacy curb-side service hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.

 Across the city, the Gateway Bulverde Clinic and JBSA-Randolph Clinic pharmacies are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, while the JBSA-Randolph Satellite BX Pharmacy is available for refill pick up only during that time.

“I am thankful to be a part of the 59th MDW, the support the pharmacy team have received from facilities, systems, manpower and leadership has made this pharmacy curb-side service a success,” said Lt. Col. Christina Fairley, 59th MDW pharmacy flight commander. “I am especially proud of the pharmacy staff, every Airman has contributed with innovative ideas and process improvement to make our operations run smoothly.  They are the heroes.”

Causey said the curbside venture has been a big success for the pharmacy and organization. “The patients are very grateful for the curbside pharmacy service and have provided numerous compliments to the pharmacy team for a job well done.”

“Love it! I was there less than 10 minutes from check-in to receiving my prescriptions,” said Tyrone Taylor. “The young Soldier who was the runner had a definite sense of urgency and verified my info and medications all within 10 minutes.”

“I drove up, there was quite a line of cars,” Gail Williams said. “The line went pretty quickly and everything was organized and smooth. It is really appreciated!”

Lynn Thompson says her husband, Paul, also thought it worked well. “He was in and out of the Jennifer Moreno Clinic in about five minutes,” Thompson said.

Ben Linduff agrees. “What a great idea, feel so blessed to have this service.”

At BAMC, patients who drop off their prescriptions before noon will have a pick-up time of after 2 p.m. the same day. Patients who drop off their prescriptions after noon will be able to receive their prescriptions the next business day after 9 a.m.

Patients picking up prescriptions need to have their ID card ready to show the pharmacy staff at curbside and know what medications they need to pick up from the pharmacy. 

People who don’t want to leave their home can get a 90-day supply of their medications via TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. For more information about home delivery, visit https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/home-delivery.

For more information about 59th Medical Wing pharmacy procedures, visit https://www.59mdw.af.mil/News/Article/2132568/updated-pharmacy-hours-and-procedures/.

For more information about BAMC Pharmacy operations, visit https://www.bamc.health.mil/articles/covid19/bamc-launches-new-curbside-pharmacy-service.asp.