VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --
Starting May 15, the VAFB pharmacy will no longer fill prescriptions between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. due to the recent loss of an active duty pharmacist authorization.
The drop-off and pick-up windows will remain open during this time, but patients who drop off prescriptions during this time-frame will not be able to pick them up until after 1 p.m.
This reconfiguration of services is necessary to maintain the highest standards of pharmacy practice as dictated by law and regulation, and it will allow for the pharmacy's manpower to be maximized during the busiest times of the day.
"To minimize the inconvenience this change may cause our patients, we have started automatically filling electronic prescriptions from on and off base medical providers so that we can have them ready for pick-up without the need for patient activation." said Maj. Benjamin Crandall, 30th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy flight commander.
"We are constantly working to build more efficient and customer-centered processes, but patient safety will always be our paramount priority," said Crandall. "Although this change may unfortunately prove to be an inconvenience for customers with paper prescriptions, we expect that most customers will notice faster and more efficient service throughout the rest of the day."
What is the bottom line and how does this change affect you?
1. Patients who drop-off paper prescriptions or choose to utilize the
Self-Initiated Care Kit (S.I.C.K.) program between the hours of 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. should expect delays of up to one hour or more.
2. Patients should ask their off-base medical providers to send
prescriptions electronically to "DoD Vandenberg" or fax them to the pharmacy at 805-605-8380 if possible.
3. Call the pharmacy directly at 805-606-7440 if you have questions or want to make sure they received your electronic order or fax.