New pharmacy is larger, more convenient

Published July 16, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- The staff at Peterson's commissary pharmacy is ready to say goodbye to the "closet" they currently call home.

On July 23, they'll move into their updated space at the new base exchange and commissary shopping complex at Pete East. The brand-new facility will feature five service windows, including a lower one for handicapped patrons, as well as some much needed space.

"There's just no comparing the two spots," said Maj. Candice Lagasse of the 21st Medical Group. "Where we were before was like a closet, and this, it's just hundreds of times bigger."

It's also many times more convenient. At the pharmacy's old home, the line often backed up into the commissary's freezer section, turning waiting customers into popsicles. Now, customers can spend their wait in the food court or shopping.

"It's all in one place," Major Lagasse said. "They can drop off their prescriptions and then just walk down the hall and get their commissary and BX shopping done. By the time they get back, it'll be ready for them."

The bigger location will also allow the commissary pharmacy to fill new prescriptions now, instead of just offering refills. Servicemembers, their families and retirees will now be able to drop off all prescriptions written by civilian doctors at the commissary.

The move lets the clinic pharmacy, which is often overwhelmed itself, focus solely on taking care of electronic prescriptions issued by military doctors.

"Civilian prescriptions are about one-third of our work load at the clinic," Major Lagasse said. "By shifting that to the commissary, we're really going to help with some of the congestion we're seeing at the clinic."

Major Lagasse said the new facility is a step in the right direction for the base, which - like other military and civilian facilities - has seen its health services stretched as baby boomers age and the city continues to grow.

"We keep seeing our numbers go up and up and up," she said. "We fully expect it to continue, so this will really help."

FOR A BOX: Peterson's new commissary pharmacy will be open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for full service, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday for prescription pick-up only.

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New pharmacy at Peterson