Pharmacy closes for modernization, renovation Published Dec. 13, 2006 By Airman Stacy Garcia 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With the current design of the pharmacy and the amount of patients who need routine medication, the 95th Medical Group's pharmacy is scheduled to undergo renovations Thursday through July 4.The pharmacy plans to update by reorganizing and adding new light fixtures, shelves and cabinets, said Capt. Jonathan Lehan, 95th MDG chief of pharmacy element. The renovations will be done by RC Smith, a company specializing in pharmacy design. They will also be receiving new updates with automatic equipment such as a new robot that will dispense medication into the proper container and will label it, Captain Lehan said. Internally, the pharmacy is a difficult space to work in, he said. With the limited space there is very little room to move. The staff is scheduled to increase its current staff of two enlisted members and two officers to four enlisted members and two officers, which will make their working environment even more difficult."Hopefully by redesigning we are going to open everything up, making it easier on the patients and on the staff who work here," Captain Lehan said. The Edwards pharmacy serves not only Edwards' servicemembers and their families, but also retirees residing outside the base, Captain Lehan said. "The changes will also allow us to have more storage space for our patients medication," said Staff Sgt.Chris Karangalan, 95th MDG NCO in charge of pharmacy services. The renovations will increase the speed and work flow, so in the end the pharmacy can help its patients better, Captain Lehan said. On the exterior, patients won't see a difference. However, the renovations will decrease waiting times for the patients. "If we can work more efficiently in the new space, we can get the prescriptions filled faster, and people will spend less time waiting," Captain Lehan said "It will also improve the safety of our process." With the changes made to the pharmacy, the staff can better utilize their space to accommodate their workforce, he said. In addition, it will make it possible to upgrade and increase the amount of automation used in the pharmacy. "Patients should get any medication and refills from the pharmacy before the renovation begins, Captain Lehan said. Patients needing medication during the renovation can get their prescription filled from an after-hours dispensing machine. However, the machine is limited on what is available because most of the medicine will be in storage." Patients also have the option of going off base and using civilian pharmacies for medication needs.