Although their interactions are often brief, it’s the work behind the scenes that the 164 pharmacists at Bay Pines VA do that makes an impact on Veterans.
“No doubt about it, pharmacists are critical to health care,” said Chief of Pharmacy Dr. Idi Idiong, pictured above. “They make valuable contributions that help improve safe medication use, advance patient care and improve cost efficiency.”
Last year, the team provided 1.3 million prescriptions to Veterans across southwest Florida. This included 900,000 prescriptions to outpatients and 400,000 prescriptions to inpatients.
The team directly supports all of Bay Pines VA’s facilities, which include C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, Lee County Healthcare Center and seven VA clinics, in addition to the State Veteran’s Nursing Home in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Providing patients education about each medication
In addition to providing medication to Veterans, they are also difference makers in prescribing resources and supporting patient education about each medication prescribed.
“We’re experts on the thousands of medications, and we work to educate patients on how each medication works in the body and the way to use each one safely and effectively. We take this responsibility seriously because Veterans look to us for answers, and there’s nothing more rewarding than when we’re able to provide them with this important information to assist with their health care journey,” Idiong said.
When Idiong and her pharmacists are not educating Veterans, they welcome opportunities for increased responsibility in their personal and professional lives.
Proud of high score from Veterans
“We train eight pharmacy residents and several pharmacy students annually. Many of our pharmacists have earned advanced board certifications, which means they are highly knowledgeable in their practice area. This reflects such a strong commitment on their part to ensure Veterans receive the best care.”
Idiong added that her team’s commitment is making a difference and Veterans are letting them know. “From November 2022 through October 2023, we obtained a 92.4% trust score rating for outpatient pharmacy, which exceeded the VA national average. We are so proud of this score because it comes directly from Veterans. We are focused on increasing that this year because they deserve our very best.”
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Army Veteran Denis Velez donated a painting of his VA hospital as a way of giving back for his treatment there.
I speak with a Pharmasset once a month to go over all my meds and blood pressure, sugar levels. This is the best program the VA has implemented in a long time. I have learned a lot about my meds.
Maybe just Maybe PCP’s authorize the specific Veteran testing to determine whether or not the medications are even working for the Specific Veteran’s bodily needs. Each Veteran has a unique medical makeup that will not provide help with that specific medication. Example: Insulin may work for some but not ALL. There are proven Test to determine the best treatment based on the a Veteran’s personal blood posture. “NOT Painting All Veteran’s ailments with one hard line medication—better care and not experimental treatment. Savings in treating when the medication would not be needed or simply will not work for that individual Veteran. Base meds prescribed on Science and not WE’LL see if this works.
This is a well deserved article on the importance and value that the VA pharmacy has made in the outstanding support to veterans across America. I have personally been provided exceptional support and assistance from Dr. Roger J. a pharmacist from the Jacksonville Florida VA Clinic. She is a professional in every sense of the word and is a great asset to the Veterans Administration.
My grandfather was a pharmacist and knew more about most medicines than a lot of the doctors. He had his own pharmacy business and later worked at a small chain type store in the 1950’s and 1960’s, sadly because he was not a graduate of some pharmacy school he wasn’t paid the same. Very unfair.
Our Pharmacist do deserve all of the Complements they get, they are dedicated Professionals who really care about our health(making sure they get it right) & letting us as Veterans know exactly what we need to know about our prescribed VA Meds & Non-VA meds, Thank You to all of our Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians (Well Deserved)