Prior to the Covid-19
lockdown, prescriptions had to be manually carried to the military facility
pharmacy to be filled and the wait was on the average one hour.
Now, because of the
viral lockdown, doctors can send the prescription to the pharmacy via fax or
computer. However, the patient must go to the said pharmacy and personally
request that the prescription be activated and wait a couple of hours minimum
to have the prescription filled and dispensed if the drug is on their
formulary. If it is not on the formulary, the prescription must be transferred
to an outside pharmacy and the cost can be expensive or prohibitive especially
for retired veterans on a limited income.
Expensive drugs are
never on the formulary and the patient must bear the brunt of most of the cost.
At least they can get the drug if they have the money.
Some drugs that are
taken for a long time can be filled by mail but, in the case of emergency drugs
for sudden illness, the drugs must be purchased at the pharmacy.
Socialized medicine
worked the same way under the socialist countries ruled by the ineffective
Communist Party. The difference was that drugs were ALWAYS in short supply and
high demand, or not available to the masses. Those said masses could avoid the shortage by buying on the black market from outside sources, however, most people were too poor and had little resources to buy at such expensive prices. Salaries were relatively equal and small in all professions.
So far, we have avoided
that shortage and non-availability fate in this country but for how long?
Good Morning,
ReplyDeleteI had to respond because the procedure to obtain meds from bases may very from area to area. Here in the Tidewater/Hampton Roads area we must call the pharmacy to activate the prescription after the doctor’s office calls it in. It can take up to an hour of waiting on the telephone to get through to someone and 7 days to fill the prescription after which you can pick it up. I use the Boone Branch clinic which has a window drive through. Not all bases are equipped with a drive through dispensary.
If the prescription is for an acute illness you take it to the base pharmacy where you bring it to the door of the pharmacy. A soldier takes it from there and you go back to your car to wait until a soldier brings your meds to you. No one waits in the lobby anymore.
Stephanie
Hello Sweetie,
ReplyDeleteI’m responding as I receive all my medical care through Walter Reed Bethesda.
Upon visiting any of my doctors if a prescription is required they email it to the hospital pharmacy. There may be a wait of 20-40 minutes depending, in the pharmacy waiting room.
When refills are required I call in on a digital line choose where I want to pick them up ( always WR for me ) and within 5-7 days refills are ready for pickup.
Prescriptions from outside doctors can be filled at the WR pharmacy or through Tricare at any pharmacy which there is a fee but minimal.
That’s been my experience. There are some hiccups but in 47 years of military medical care overall I’ve been pleased.
Now, if ever I move... I’d try to find a medical facility that could take me on.
Enjoy the beautiful weekend.
Denise