Pharmacy location at Base Exchange to open Oct. 26

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  • By Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 377th Medical Group's BX Satellite Pharmacy will be opening Oct. 26.

"It has been a long journey, but the wait has been worth it," said Lt. Col. Dolphis Hall, 377th Medical Support Squadron commander.

To optimize the dispensing process, the pharmacy will use robotic automation to fill prescriptions. The system will help increase operational efficiency, enhance patient safety and provide a higher quality of patient care.

"This enhanced service will help us provide safe delivery of pharmaceuticals for our more than 40,000 eligible beneficiaries," Hall said.

The new location has multiple service windows to help usher patients through quickly, and there will be several electronic displays to notify customers when their prescriptions are ready for pickup, including one in the food court so people can enjoy a meal while waiting.

Lt. Col. Derek Larbie, flight commander of the pharmacy, said the opening will decrease the amount of prescriptions being processed at just one location, making the delivery of prescriptions quicker and more efficient. Currently, about 20,000 prescriptions a month are being filled at the main pharmacy.  About 70 percent will move to the BX location, which will handle about 700 a day.

"By splitting our operations into two pharmacies, we will be better able to serve our patients' needs," Larbie said.

The BX Pharmacy will accept civilian-provider handwritten and electronic prescriptions, faxed prescriptions and all refills called through the automated refill line at 846-5770.

After the BX pharmacy opens, the main pharmacy will only process new prescriptions for patients seen at the clinic by their primary care manager or military treatment facility provider. All patients who call in their prescription refills through the automated system, including active duty, retirees and dependents, will go to the BX Pharmacy to pick up their refills.

To decrease overall wait time, patients with civilian providers are encouraged to submit their prescriptions electronically. The electronic prescribing address is DoD Kirtland e-Phcy.  Handwritten and faxed prescriptions take longer to process and can often require a call to the doctor's office for clarification. 

The BX Pharmacy hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will be closed on weekends, federal holidays, wing training days, and command-directed down days. Due to limited parking at the Base Exchange, customers are encouraged to use the pharmacy in the morning and during other non-peak hours.

For questions about the new pharmacy, call 846-3131.