Recognizing pharmacy capabilities during National Pharmacy Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Elijaih Tiggs
  • 319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, ND --  

This year National Pharmacy Week is celebrated October 20-26, 2019. The week acknowledges the invaluable contributions that pharmacists and technicians make to patient care in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. “The pharmacy staff at Grand Forks AFB are here to talk to you directly about your medications,” said Maj Burke Wilson, 319th Healthcare Operations Squadron Diagnostics and Therapeutics Flight Commander. “They can help you understand how to use your medicine correctly, what your medicine is supposed to do, and the possibility of reactions or side effects. You can also talk to your pharmacist about how to store and take medication, what foods or activities to avoid, and what to do if you miss a dose.”

The Grand Forks Pharmacy processes over 40,000 prescriptions every year with a small but mighty staff of 3 pharmacists and 4 technicians. The pharmacy staff is continually assessing processes and procedures to ensure that their patients receive trusted care that is second to none. One of these initiatives is the Over The Counter (OTC) medication program. Tricare eligible beneficiaries can visit the pharmacy without an appointment to be seen for symptoms of typical coughs and colds. A pharmacist will review the symptoms and prescribe an appropriate medication regimen to help shorten, reduce, or improve the symptoms the patient is experiencing.

Pharmacy staff are trained and equipped to support the Air Force mission both in garrison as well as in the deployed setting. Air Force pharmacists and technicians are deployed all around the globe and have the capability to provide medication support and expertise in the most austere environments.

“Regardless if the patient being treated is active duty, a dependent, or retiree, the pharmacy staff's number one priority is provide safe and efficient trusted care,” says Wilson.

The Grand Forks Pharmacy is open Monday through Friday 0730-1630 and is closed at 1200 on the third Friday of every month for training. To refill your medications, you can call them in to the automated refill line at 701-747-3025 or request a refill using Tricare Online. If you would like to talk to someone about your medicines, please call 701-747-5448, and your pharmacy staff can help.