Skip to main content

Military Health System

Military Pharmacists Face Unique Challenges While Deployed

Image of Military pharmacist counting pills. Military pharmacist counting pills

Recommended Content:

TRICARE Pharmacy Operations | Health Readiness & Combat Support

Tasked with having to know about hundreds of types of drugs and their interactions, equipment, and much more, pharmacists are vital in keeping warfighters healthy and ensuring that the U.S. military maintains a medically ready force.

For deployed pharmacists, they face unique challenges, as they don’t work in a traditional brick and mortar setting. Rather, deployed pharmacists can be on a ship in the middle of the ocean, or in a makeshift building in the Middle East or Africa. The deployed pharmacy workforce may have to take care of warfighters in abnormal situations or locations.

A deployed pharmacist is, “a pharmacist forward, in a hostile environment, supporting a broad range of contingency operations in support of our nation’s objectives,” said U.S. Army Maj. Lance R. Murphy, chief of ambulatory care pharmacy services at Tripler Army Medical Center, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Typically, it’s the pharmacist’s job to screen, package, and distribute medication to patients, ensuring they are prescribed the correct dosage to treat their ailment. Yet while on deployment, it can be much more than that.

“A deployed pharmacist is the primary drug/medication expert for the management, storage, and acquisition of pharmaceuticals. Many times, you are the only pharmacist within your area of operation and will expected to be always available,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Norman Tuala, deputy chief of the department of pharmacy at Tripler Army Medical Center.

Tuala went on to explain that there are four positions for a deployed pharmacist: field hospital pharmacist, division pharmacist, medical logistics pharmacist, and theater pharmacy consultant.

He said, “You need to be proficient as an outpatient and inpatient pharmacist; however, you’ll need to be more familiar with logistics such as different ordering platforms, forward logistic elements.”

Challenges as a Deployed Pharmacist

Logistics and supply management can be one of the biggest challenges a deployed pharmacist may face, Tuala explained. “My biggest concerns were supply availability, controlled substance accountability, and management of refrigerated items. I didn’t always have what I needed, but I was able to pursue available logistics contacts to request what I needed. You cannot operate as you do while you are back in garrison and expect most pharmaceutical orders to arrive next day.”

Yet the conditions are manageable if the pharmacist plans ahead.

He also mentioned, “manpower, logistics, formulary changes, and varying missions,” as some of the biggest challenges while on deployment.

He recalled a time when he was deployed where logistics played a key factor.

“There was an outbreak of a gastro-intestinal parasite in Kuwait. I was responsible for ordering the medications to treat the infection and side effects. I was able to verify treatment and get the medications, as well as prevention medication, shipped out within two hours and delivered on site within 24 hours,” said Murphy.

Personal Experiences on Deployment

When deployed, everyone has a different experience, or way, that they prepare.

"Most of the preparation is mental. When preparing for a traditional deployment, brushing up on sterile compounding and critical care are top priority. For my job, it was more ‘on the job’ training and learning the logistics side of pharmacy and medicine," said Murphy. “I managed the U.S. Central Command formulary, ordered and shipped out all of the medications for the theater, developed and updated policies and procedures for the area of responsibility, and served as a clinical subject matter expert.”

Sometimes when deployed, a pharmacist might come across certain medications that they might not stock in a typical pharmacy.

“This will depend on the environment, but when I was in Afghanistan, we had snake antivenom, which was something I normally had not stocked within my pharmacy,” said Tuala. Murphy also mentioned that he was once responsible for procuring antivenoms to treat snake and scorpion bites, which was unique for him.

While serving on a deployed mission, you must prepare and plan for certain situation that you normally would, like “mass casualty, enemy fire, disrupted logistics channels and evacuations,” said Murphy. “My largest concern was making sure units had enough medications and had all their requirements in a timely manner. The last thing I wanted was for a unit to realize they were short on a medication/treatment while they were handling a mass casualty or under fire.”

A good understanding of not only one’s capabilities, but also those of the pharmacy and staff is important for a successful deployment, Tuala said, “Having a good understanding of your capabilities and the medical support expectations and mission will assist with your strategy to bridge the gap.”

You also may be interested in...

TRICARE Pharmacy

Video
3/17/2023
TRICARE Pharmacy

We could all use a refresher every now and then. Watch this video on the 2023 pharmacy changes. For more information, please visit https://newsroom.tricare.mil/Articles/Article/3252509/4-changes-coming-to-tricare-pharmacy-program-in-2023

Recommended Content:

TRICARE Pharmacy Operations | TRICARE Health Plan

The Dangers of Dietary Supplements

Video
7/11/2022
Military personnel lifting weights

Did you know that 75% of service members use at least 1 dietary supplement? Experts from the Uniformed Services University discuss the risks and safety concerns of dietary supplements. Learn more about dietary supplements at www.OPSS.org and The Consortium of Health & Military Performance (CHAMP).

Recommended Content:

Nutritional Fitness | Performance Nutrition: Fuel Your Body and Mind | Health Readiness & Combat Support

Performance Nutrition: The Best Ways to Eat

Video
7/11/2022
Infographic for Performance Nutrition

USU professor and nutrition specialist, Jonathan Scott PhD, gives advice on eating healthy. Learn more about the Dietician Approved Fueling stations at your local commissary here: https://www.commissaries.com/fueling_stations

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Performance Nutrition: Fuel Your Body and Mind | Nutritional Fitness

What is Performance Nutrition

Video
7/11/2022
Dr, Jonathan Scott

Learn more about Performance Nutrition and healthy eating habits at the Consortium for Health & Military Performance. https://champ.usuhs.edu/. For more information about the Dietician Approved Fueling stations at your local commissary, go to https://www.commissaries.com/fueling_stations

Recommended Content:

Performance Nutrition: Fuel Your Body and Mind | Health Readiness & Combat Support | Nutritional Fitness

TRICARE Home Delivery

Video
6/27/2022
If you’re a TRICARE Pharmacy beneficiary, you have the option to get a 90-day supply of your prescription delivered to you. Visit www.militaryrx.express-scripts.com/home-delivery to get more details on TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery service.

If you’re a TRICARE Pharmacy beneficiary, you have the option to get a 90-day supply of your prescription delivered to you. Visit www.militaryrx.express-scripts.com/home-delivery to get more details on TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery service.

Recommended Content:

Information for Patients: TRICARE Pharmacy Program | TRICARE Pharmacy Operations | Pharmacy Beneficiary Knowledge Gap Campaign | TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery

Filing a Pharmacy Claim

Video
6/27/2022
Depending on where you pick up your prescription, you may need to file a claim to get reimbursed. Visit www.tricare.mil/PharmacyClaims to find the claims submission form and where you need to submit it.

Depending on where you pick up your prescription, you may need to file a claim to get reimbursed. Visit www.tricare.mil/PharmacyClaims to find the claims submission form and where you need to submit it.

Recommended Content:

Pharmacy Beneficiary Knowledge Gap Campaign | Filing a Pharmacy Claim | TRICARE Pharmacy Operations | Information for Patients: TRICARE Pharmacy Program

MHS Minute May 2021

Video
5/28/2021
Image of MHS Minute Carousel

In this month's MHS Minute, the DHA's commitment to transforming military health continues. The DHA officially established the Tidewater market in SE Virginia, serving over 200,000 patients. The MHS is standing up 19 markets like Tidewater to allow healthcare providers to better meet the needs of their patients by improving coordination between facilities in the area.

Recommended Content:

Military Health System Transformation | MHS GENESIS: The Electronic Health Record | Health Readiness & Combat Support | MHS GENESIS

Moments in Military Medicine: Blood Donations on the Battlefield

Video
2/4/2020
Moments in Military History

Since January was National Blood Donor Month, learn more about the history of blood donations on the battlefield and the incredible work of the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP).

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Armed Services Blood Program | Our History | National Museum of Health and Medicine

MHS Minute September 2018

Video
9/21/2018
MHS Minute September 2018

Interested in hearing about some exciting events that took place around the Military Health System last month? Tune in to the MHS Minute to learn more!

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support

Patriot Warrior 2017 - Moulage

Video
10/5/2017
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Rose Jane Schoenwandt, 349th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California, and Staff Sgt. Caleb Boles, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, discuss the importance of moulage during Patriot Warrior.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Rose Jane Schoenwandt, 349th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California, and Staff Sgt. Caleb Boles, 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, discuss the importance of moulage during Patriot Warrior.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support

USNS Mercy: Deployable Medical Center

Video
4/11/2017
U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners explain the mission of the USNS Mercy and its capabilities.

U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners explain the mission of the USNS Mercy and its capabilities.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | Health Care Administration & Operations

Trauma Innovations

Video
3/23/2017
Hemorrhage is responsible for 91.5 percent of potentially survivable battlefield deaths. From 2001 to 2011, an estimated 24 percent of combat deaths occurred before patients reached a treatment facility; the major cause of death was blood loss. Battlefield trauma innovations like the occlusion balloon catheter and freeze-dried plasma will enhance the Joint Forces' current capabilities.

Hemorrhage is responsible for 91.5 percent of potentially survivable battlefield deaths. From 2001 to 2011, an estimated 24 percent of combat deaths occurred before patients reached a treatment facility; the major cause of death was blood loss. Battlefield trauma innovations like the occlusion balloon catheter and freeze-dried plasma will enhance the Joint Forces' current capabilities.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support | French Freeze-Dried Plasma Use in the DOD

Air Force Nurse Key Asset to Army Medevac

Video
3/22/2017
U.S. Air Force Maj. Sandra Nestor, tactical critical care evacuation team nurse, is assigned to the 3rd Platoon, C Company, 2-149 General Support Aviation Battalion Medevac. Medevac teams specialize in moving and treating U.S. and coalition forces who are injured and risk dying without immediate emergency care.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Sandra Nestor, tactical critical care evacuation team nurse, is assigned to the 3rd Platoon, C Company, 2-149 General Support Aviation Battalion Medevac. Medevac teams specialize in moving and treating U.S. and coalition forces who are injured and risk dying without immediate emergency care.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support

Ophthalmology Medical Readiness Training Exercise

Video
3/7/2017
The Ophthalmology Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) team is comprised of 26 U.S. military personnel and several host nation physicians who have partnered together to train medical teams in preparation for deployment. During the MEDRETE, the teams are able to improve the eyesight of more than 250 Panamanian patients during the two-week training exercise. The goal is to provide medical care that benefits the people of Panama, while building relationships with the accompanying Panamanian medical professionals.

The Ophthalmology Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) team is comprised of 26 U.S. military personnel and several host nation physicians who have partnered together to train medical teams in preparation for deployment. During the MEDRETE, the teams are able to improve the eyesight of more than 250 Panamanian patients during the two-week training exercise. The goal is to provide medical care that benefits the people of Panama, while building relationships with the accompanying Panamanian medical professionals.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support |

Any clime and place: Sailors bring hospital knowledge to the field

Video
5/19/2016
Sailors with 2nd Medical Battalion got out of their comfort zone and conducted a week-long training exercise at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The aim of the training is to teach Sailors the basic skillset and gear familiarization of shock trauma platoon in a deployed environment.

Sailors with 2nd Medical Battalion got out of their comfort zone and conducted a week-long training exercise known as a Health Service Augmentation Program at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 18-22, 2016.

Recommended Content:

Health Readiness & Combat Support
<< < 1 2 > >> 
Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 2
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 12, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery