Medical APM arrives at Base Exchange

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stacy Sanchez
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  To expand the hours for patients to receive medications on base, the pharmacy recently set up an automated prescription machine at the Base Exchange.

The automated medical prescription dispenser is similar to an automated teller machine that can stock refilled medications at a location other than the pharmacy.

"The primary purpose of this device is to extend our pharmacy hours," said Capt. Sabrina Rodriguez, 95th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy element chief. "Because of the base's remote location, I think it would be more convenient for patients if they had the option of where they would like to pick up their prescription."

Currently, the clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The APM will allow patients to get their prescription through BX hours, which is up to 8 p.m. and is available on weekends.

"Also, since we have a lot of retirees who come on base for their medication, we thought it would be more convenient for them to pick up their prescription at the BX rather than having to make a trip to the base clinic," Captain Rodriguez said.

The APM will be available to all TriCare patients, said Staff Sgt. Jason McCormack, 95th MDSS pharmacy technician. Before using the machine, patients need to sign up at the pharmacy to receive a personal identification number and a family member prefix. Other options of signing up include calling the pharmacy or going online to the TriCare Web site.

"The sign-up process is pretty simple, and picking up their prescription will be even easier," Sergeant McCormack said. "The prescription machine is like an ATM, except it doesn't give money; it gives you your medication."

The machine, which is located outside the Optical Center, will only require a patient's PIN and signature. All patients have to do is go up to the APM, select which language they would like the machine to read, enter their number and wait for their prescription to come out. Once they have received their prescription, they sign off on the signature reader. If patients should run into trouble, they can use the telephone installed on the machine to reach the clinic.

"If there is a malfunction while taking out a prescription, that telephone will contact us directly," Sergeant McCormack said. "If we need to, we will come down to the BX and assist the patient."

Not every patient's prescription will be allowed to go to the APM, Captain Rodriguez said.

"There are certain prescriptions that will not be allowed to go into the dispenser," she said. "For example, we cannot have any refrigerated medications inside the machine since our machine is not refrigerated. Also, we will not be able to place any medications that come in very large boxes. The machine will also not have any controlled substances such as pain killers."

Although there will be an alternative location to pick-up medication, Captain Rodriguez said the pharmacy will still be available.

"Not everyone is going to want to use the machine," Captain Rodriguez said. "This is just to give patients an alternative site to pick up prescriptions."

For Gary Mansfield, a TriCare patient, he said having another location to pick up medication is great for people on the go. This is convenient for those who do not have the time to pick up medications at the clinic.

"When I first heard about the medical dispenser, I thought it was really cool," Mr. Mansfield said. "It is good to know that I can come during BX hours to pick up my prescription. It really saves me a lot of time."

After using the machine for the first time, Mr. Mansfield said it was very easy to use. 

"I had a great experience with it," Mr. Mansfield said. "I was able to receive my product and get back to work right away. I definitely recommend that patients use the machine."