Satellite Pharmacy opens new lane

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman La'Shanette V. Garrett
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Barksdale satellite pharmacy, located inside the base exchange, underwent a small renovation expanding the drive-thru lanes from June 27 to July 30.

The lanes required an additional 34 yards of concrete to be poured allowing the right amount of space for two vehicles to come through at the same time.

"The pharmacy has always had two lanes, said Capt. Shaoping Mo, main pharmacy officer in charge. "But the lanes were not wide enough to allow two cars to come through so we would end up still using one lane. By just widening the lanes it has increased the efficiency and mainly patient safety."

According to Tech. Sgt. Rita Fellows, satellite pharmacy NCO in charge, the opening of both lanes will also help keep traffic from backing up in the middle of the road preventing accidents.

The satellite pharmacy processes all refills from the main pharmacy, walk-in prescriptions and off-base prescriptions dispensing more than 4,000 prescriptions weekly.

The pharmacy will be closed from Aug. 30 to Sept. 3. to undergo more renovations. They will get new insulation, furniture and an improved layout, which will create a better and faster workflow.

"During the renovation we ask that customers allow a little extra time to have their prescriptions filled," said Fellows. "For example if they call it in on Wednesday it won't be ready until the following Wednesday. We will be losing a few days to do refills as the layout will be taken apart and moved around."

If customers think they will run out before the renovations start, they can bring in their prescription bottle and we will give them enough to get them through, she said.

The refill pharmacy would like to encourage all customers to call 7 to 10 before their prescription runs out.

"If prescriptions are called in before 3 p.m. they will be ready in two business days," said Mo. "But if they are received after 3 p.m., they will be ready in three business days."

For more information on the holiday hours during renovation or to have a prescription refilled call 456-8348.