11.22.2024
UVA Health Update | Nov. 22, 2024
Justin Vesser, PharmD, Director, Pharmacy
1.27.2022
If You Aren’t Filling Your Prescriptions at a UVA Pharmacy, Here Are 5 Reasons Why You’re Missing Out
UVA and CVS pharmacies are the preferred pharmacies for members of the UVA Health Plan. UVA pharmacies accept prescriptions from all prescribers inside and outside of UVA, and they want to be your pharmacy of choice. The Connect team recently caught up with Justin Vesser, PharmD, Director, Pharmacy, about some of the benefits of using a UVA pharmacy. Here are the top five:
1. UVA pharmacies are open for business when it’s convenient for you
All UVA pharmacies are open and ready to serve you. The Outpatient Pharmacy at Education Resource Center (ERC) is open 24 hours a day and is the only pharmacy open around the clock within 50 miles of Charlottesville. Find operating hours for your preferred UVA pharmacy.
“We’re constrained by staffing like everyone else in these difficult times, but we’re proud to say that our pharmacies are open for business with unaltered hours,“ says Vesser. “Many community pharmacies in the area are trimming their hours or closing some days. Our wait times are good, and we’re proud to offer the highest level of clinical care and patient experience of any pharmacy in town at all of our locations.”
2. 7 retail locations, plus a mail-order option
You can pick up your prescriptions from one of seven convenient locations — ERC, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, Student Health, UVA Bookstore, Zion Crossroads, Pantops, and Augusta — or have your prescriptions sent to your home for no additional cost. Submit your request for home delivery in MyChart (for prescriptions from UVA prescribers) or by calling 434.297.5500. Learn more.
3. Get $3 off each prescription just for choosing UVA
This discount is exclusively available at UVA pharmacies, and the discount is automatically calculated when the pharmacy processes your prescription.
“We’re very excited to offer this incentive, and hope it helps our teammates during these challenging times,” says Vesser.
Also, check out the UVA Prescription Discount Program, which provides generic medications at reduced prices.
4. Customer service is a top priority
Pharmacists and pharmacy techs put you the customer as their top priority and make time to take care of your needs. They are well staffed to fill prescriptions and answer questions.
“The experience we offer across our pharmacies is focused on one thing: the best possible outcomes for our patients,” says Vesser. “We have many pharmacists and technicians working at our locations, all working to support a good experience for our patients. It is easy to find a pharmacist to talk to for any questions about your medications, and we take special efforts to provide education about high-risk medications.”
5. Get vaccinated
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and also other routine immunizations are available for adults and children. Available vaccines vary by location. Contact your preferred location for more information.
Read more about the services and benefits offered by UVA pharmacies on their website.
I am a Health System employee, and I can attest to the exceptional professionalism and customer-service focus of the ERC pharmacy. I have even contacted the pharmacy for help at all hours of the night, and each time a pharmacist has been available for consultation. Especially now that many community pharmacies have more limited hours, the UVA pharmacy provides an invaluable service with its 24/7 access. Thank you!
I am a proud Health System employee, and almost always I have been able to get my medicine as well as my children’s without having to wait for very long and even if the pharmacy has been low on a drug we need, we are still given a few to hold us until the shipment comes in.
Having the pharmacy open 24 hours is a plus all around being that I don’t have a car, I can run in on a Sunday if need be and grab my medicine. Being that I am patient care tech, I run to the pharmacy almost daily to retrieve discharge meds for patients as the convenience of the pharmacy being close and efficient and being able to apply the amount due in some cases can be added to the bill. I know sometimes just by talking to the patient afterwards that they are grateful that they could pay for the meds later. Thank you for being here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UVA Pharmacy Services are superlative, a health system department of which to be so proud! All have been so helpful to me in the support and care of patients. I am so appreciative of all they do and the aid they provide with compassion and competence.
Thank you for the excellent service! Question: if there is a pharmacy concern to whom/how can that be communicated?
Thank you for your feedback and question, Sandy. Anyone with a concern may direct that to Patient Relations. – Amy Hughes, editor
As a UVA Health employee that lives in the Valley, the UVA Pharmacy in Augusta is phenomenal…Beth and her team are great! Their friendliness and customer service are unbeatable!