FORT RUCKER, Ala. (June 19, 2014) -- The Lyster Army Health Clinic Pharmacy has expanded its medication list over the past three years to better serve its retiree population and make filling prescriptions even easier.
The increased workflow from retiree prescription orders has helped the pharmacy procure medications that are not normally stocked on the formulary, to include special-order non-formulary medications.
The pharmacy filled more than 32,000 prescriptions in April. On average, more than 15,000 retiree prescriptions are filled each month.
"Our retirees are actually doing us a favor by bringing their prescriptions into the pharmacy," said Lt. Col. Tai Bolaji, pharmacy chief. "We are always looking to expand and enhance our pharmacy operations and services, and the list of medications on hand normally comes from our TRICARE for Life beneficiaries."
About 46 percent of the pharmacy's prescription workload is paper prescriptions that come from network providers. If your primary care doctor is not at LAHC or you are seen at a specialty doctor's office, you can either request them to fax the prescriptions into LAHC's pharmacy or you can hand-carry them in.
Aside from the convenience of having all prescriptions filled in one place, the cost savings helps beneficiaries by alleviating the high co-pays that normally come with non-formulary medications, Bolaji said.
"Beneficiaries can receive a 90-day supply of most medications at no cost when they bring their prescriptions to the Lyster pharmacy," he said. "We are happy to fill your prescriptions and it's also a great way to save some money for medication bills that can add up over time."
Beneficiaries with multiple prescriptions from different doctors can feel confident that the LAHC pharmacy staff is double-checking possible drug interactions among their medications. Thorough medication education is also offered at the pharmacy to ensure patients know when to take each medication and if there are certain side effects to watch for.
"We are never too busy to fully answer our patients' questions and are excited to have a pharmaceutical care consultant in our clinic to help answer important questions," Bolaji said.
For those who still want to take advantage of the cost-savings but cannot make the drive to LAHC's pharmacy, TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery is a good alternative.
Home delivery offers beneficiaries a 90-day supply of their brand-name medication for $13. Switching these prescriptions from a retail pharmacy to home delivery can save TRICARE beneficiaries up to $142 a year for each prescription. Beneficiaries can also save by asking their doctor to write them a prescription for a generic version of their medication.
"Home delivery is a good option for beneficiaries who are far away from Lyster's pharmacy and want to make sure they never run out of their medication," Bolaji said.
TFL beneficiaries looking to transfer their prescriptions to LAHC's pharmacy are encouraged to call ahead at 255-7178 to ensure their prescription medication is available on the LAHC pharmacy formulary.
The pharmacy formulary is available for pickup at the pharmacy and it is also posted on the LAHC website and on Facebook.
