Community Forums

garmp · 11-16-2020, 04:14 PM

Has anyone gotten a flash supply of their medication while on the road?
While on a recent trip & 1,000 miles from home I realized that I had left one of my medications at home. I fill daily supplies in a weekly container and take one week's worth for each week we plan to be gone, plus some. On the second week out I realized that I forgot a weeks worth of one. Not a problem, nothing critical, like my insulin. I simply took the remaining 3 weeks worth and divided them up skipping a day here & there to make the supply stretch. But that brings up the point of my question. If I were to run out of, say insulin. how much of a hassle is it to go to the nearest VA facility and get a flash supply to tide me over? What is needed for me to do?

thanks

Fast E · 11-16-2020, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garmp

Has anyone gotten a flash supply of their medication while on the road?
While on a recent trip & 1,000 miles from home I realized that I had left one of my medications at home. I fill daily supplies in a weekly container and take one week's worth for each week we plan to be gone, plus some. On the second week out I realized that I forgot a weeks worth of one. Not a problem, nothing critical, like my insulin. I simply took the remaining 3 weeks worth and divided them up skipping a day here & there to make the supply stretch. But that brings up the point of my question. If I were to run out of, say insulin. how much of a hassle is it to go to the nearest VA facility and get a flash supply to tide me over? What is needed for me to do?

thanks

Go to nearest VA.

AveryF · 11-16-2020, 05:04 PM

As long as it isn't a controlled medication, I'm pretty sure all you need to do is visit the local VA Medical Clinic and they can refill it at a local pharmacy. A little inconvenient, perhaps, but not really a big deal.

BobinICT · 11-19-2020, 12:44 PM

You can call the VA 800 number, tell them your situation and they’ll authorize you to pick up meds at the nearest VA pharmacy. Not sure about getting refilled at a civilian pharmacy but they will advise on that. They’ll work with you. They understand stuff happens.

mjh0827 · 11-20-2020, 06:45 PM

I have picked up meds at the closest VA Medical Center while I was traveling, it is truly a hassle, but the medical supplies are available. I picked up a controlled prescription with no problems. I never called in advance, just showed up with my VA ID card early in the day with the expectation of spending several hours, as we all know nothing happens fast with the VA, except a denial of a claim.

MarkK · 11-24-2020, 06:58 PM

I have them mailed to any USPS that allows for General Delivery mail if I have anough for a few weeks.

manvel · 12-05-2020, 11:47 AM

I had some mail to me in July of this year to Ruidoso NM from the Houston VA. We had to leave and come home early, They show up 3 weeks later at the RV park. My spouse has champ VA and got hers fill at the local Walmart.

ArtJoyce · 12-05-2020, 12:08 PM

You could:

Have them write the script for a local pharmacy, but I think you have to pay for it. I have mine written to krogers all the time. Its cheaper then the VA fee.

or, a small post office. Addressed to yourself, c/o General Delivery with address of post office. I would use a small post office because they dont seem upset when you go to get the item. But this gives you the flexibility to forward it if you move on and have not received it.

manvel · 12-06-2020, 08:06 AM

My VA doctor said she could not write a prescription for out of state. I try that route first.

Old-Biscuit · 12-06-2020, 10:12 AM

Several options:

*Get your primary VA DOC to write 90 day scripts and take them with you
*Call your primary VA DOC and have a 'heritage' script FAXd to nearest CVS/Walgreens etc
*Set up/use the 'MyHealtheVet' Account.....order your Rx on line
*Call.Show up at a VA Hospital ---EARLY/SIck Call and get RX script written/filled at the VA Pharmacy
*Plan ahead...take more meds then needed for trip

ArtJoyce · 12-06-2020, 10:31 AM

Several times I have had a scrip that was written to my local CVS or krogers and picked it up out of state. I think you can do this from any pharmacy to any pharmacy, but its simpler to do it in the same network.

30 years ago the law would not let them do this, but the law changed. I think narcotics you still can not do over the boards.