We are proud to be Your Most Convenient Vaccination Destination and still have both the over and under 65 year old formulations in stock.
Simply fill out this web form at https://islanddrug.com/vaccine and head on in! Don’t worry if you’d prefer to fill out a paper form, we still have those in store as well.
If you or someone you know wants be part of a dynamic team working hard to serve their community, apply today (either below or at https://islanddrug.com/apply ). We have openings for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, and an administrative assistant. Full or part time.
This video is a preview of the team you are joining:
AS OF 1/15/2023 ALL STORES TRICARE CLAIMS ARE PROCESSING NORMALLY ONLINE. We are happy to welcome back those who were inconvenienced by this unwarranted service interruption. Simply click here to transfer your prescriptions back or have your doc send new ones over.
Well, that’s the way we see it.
Below is the back story — TRICARE moved to shrink its network disproportionately removing the ability for beneficiaries to choose local independent pharmacies.
Clinton and La Conner cannot process rx claims.
Our Oak Harbor location still has a contract that is processing claims though.
So, we will continue servicing vaccines and medications for TRICARE.
We will deliver Rx’s for Clinton and La Conner for pickup from Oak Harbor (this may take an extra day or so to arrive at the remote store).
VACCINES: we will still administer vaccines for TRICARE beneficiaries at all three locations.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) is the latest to raise concerns with the Department of Defense over the new Tricare pharmacy contract that excludes most independent pharmacies. In a letter to Seileen Mullen, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Kelly requested immediate action so that Tricare beneficiaries retain access to retail and community pharmacies. Kelly’s letter follows bipartisan efforts on Capitol Hill demanding answers from DOD and action to ensure beneficiary access, including letters from Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), a letter signed by 100 members of Congress that was led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and a letter from House Armed Services Committee Member Mike Johnson (R-La.).
We will post updates here as they become available.
Original Post:
Many TRICARE beneficiaries have received letters like this.
Local Impact
How does this impact our region? A picture is worth a thousand words…
These are all the TRICARE addresses we proudly served since Jan ’21.
It is also an understatement as many of the vaccine only patients present Medicare cards, so those aren’t in this data set.
Why Did TRICARE Make These Changes?
Recently, the Department of Defense awarded a $4 billion contract to Express Scripts (to manage the prescription benefit) and at the same time reduced the size of the retail pharmacy network.
The Federal government has demanded a 33% reduction in its pharmacy network. Department of Defense leadership instructed Express Scripts to eliminate over 15,000 pharmacies from its current network.
Pharmacies directly contracted with Express Scripts were purposely not offered participation in this network for 2023. It is beyond unconscionable for the federal government to target community pharmacies in this severe restriction of provider access. This is a gross misuse of federal tax dollars paid by the very businesses being excluded.
This action will take pharmacy choice away from you, and from millions of other active and retired military and their families.
What are we doing
We are actively engaged with Senator Murray and Congressman Larsen’s office. They are working to gather information and see what can be done.
Senator Cantwell’s office has not replied (unfortunately).
UPDATE, here is a letter Congressman Larsen signed on to, waiting for Murray/Cantwell
Submit a complaint about your pharmacy of choice being excluded from the TRICARE network by calling 1-877-363-1303 or sending an email to DOD.customer.relations@express-scripts.com. Also mail a hardcopy of your complaint directly to: Defense Health Agency Pharmaceutical Operations Directorate 7700 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 5101 Falls Church, VA 22042-5101
Contact your U.S. senators and representative. Look up their contact information here:
Share your story on social media, tagging @MilitaryHealth, @TRICARE, and @ExpressScripts in your posts.
Submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
Current Action
Please do not take any action on these notices at this time. As we are actively trying to achieve a resolution.
To be safe, if you are looking to get a COVID shot or any other vaccine, and only have TRICARE insurance, please come in before Oct 24 just in case there is a brief interruption.
We will have an update before the Oct 24 date. We have a backup plan in place to keep offering TRICARE beneficiaries the same access to generic medications here if there is an interruption.
Additional Thoughts
Our company has been serving those who serve for decades. In fact, this achievement was so noteworthy to our former owner, it was in his obituary:
“In 1986, Bill bought Island Drug in Oak Harbor, Wash. He added a number of innovative services, including a drive-up window, prescription delivery, nursing home consulting, compounding and homemade fudge. His was the first pharmacy on Whidbey Island to accept Champus Military Insurance, which was greatly appreciated by the families of the military personnel stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.“https://whidbeyweekly.com/obituaries/william-richard-bulpin/
Express Scripts is contracted by DHA (Defense Health Agency). We are a sub-contractor of Express Scripts as they process electronic prescription claims, but they also compete against us by offering mail order services. But on a different playing field as the pricing to beneficiaries is vastly skewed in favor of mail. The playing field is set by the DHA contract.
Our message to DHA is two fold:
Our role in the community is established after decades, and most recently in the vaccine rollout. Can you imagine if everyone but TRICARE beneficiaries were allowed to get vaccinated with us, the most accessible COVID vaccine site north of Seattle? This is a pic of just one week of vaccines provided during Spring 2021
DHA should follow the message on the official @POTUS twitter account and NOTexploit community pharmacies. Rather, allow true competition and don’t force beneficiaries out of the local community and into certain national companies. TRICARE beneficiaries should hold the decision making authority on where they choose to access prescription benefits — on an even playing field.
Here is a video recap of the role we play locally.
From arthritis to brain fog, increased oxygenation can be beneficial.
Inflammation and associated conditions runs with aging. They even crafted a term “Inflammaging” 2 which describes how inflammation and aging go hand in hand.
So, if HBOT is the inflammation antidote, how does it work on aging?
Turns out a new study concludes it reverses key aging markers 34.
So, who might benefit from HBOT? Anyone who has a few aches and pains plus an increasing number of birthdays under their belt.
We have specific protocols and experiences with arthritis, post concussion/strokes, cancer, Autism, and many more scenarios.
Please see our HBOT page for more details on how to get started.
We value our insurance partners, they provide a needed service.
Many though, seek alternatives to some constraints included. Monthly or quarterly fills. Mandated mail order. You get the picture.
Numerous generic drugs are cheap. Cheap enough to provide a convenient alternative. This, and our teams desire to provide a valuable service, drove us to create another new offering.
GreaterRx now offers deep discounts on bulk supplies of generic drugs.
Select a 6-12 month supply of any medication on the list and get an instant price. You can even use the included calculator to see if it makes sense for you based your copay rates.
The generic drug market fluctuates, so get your quote today!
A recent JAMA article concludes “pharmacy closures are associated with persistent, clinically significant declines in adherence to cardiovascular medications among older adults in the United States”.
Back to Camano.
We just hired a pharmacist at our La Conner location. She happens to live in Camano, not too far from the old pharmacy there. Robin asked if she could help deliver our services locally.
Starting Saturday, Feb 26th, Robin will personally deliver prescriptions filled from our La Conner location to a mutual pickup point at the IGA store in Camano Plaza (directions/map here). We are starting with twice a week, two hour windows, Tuesdays and alternating Friday/Saturday. As demand increases, we will work to expand days and hours.
To participate in our new Camano Service, a simple two step is all it takes:
One of the COVID-19 experiences we have deployed — both with vaccines and testing — is keyword texting. Basically, a way to queue and prioritize from the convenience of your phone.
Now, we roll out the feature to schedule your trip to the pharmacy for prescriptions.
Texting PickupRx and the details of what and when you are picking up to our public phone numbers — or using a web form — kicks off the process.
This allows our staff to ensure all your items are ready BEFORE you arrive as expected.
Then once you are here, all that is left is a card swipe and signature. No, looking, checking, finishing up etc.
In. Out.
That simple.
Here is a visual:
Why is this necessary and beneficial?
Well technically it is not necessary.
But, many scenarios exist driving us to offer this enhanced service level.
As prescriptions come into us, we don’t know who is coming in today or next week.
So, if you leave your doc expecting a prescription, use PickupRx so our staff can process your new Rx ahead of next-week guy. Want to pick it up after work? Use the example above!
Sometimes we have to special order a medication. Others we have to discuss prescriptions with insurance companies before the prescription leaves. Many other scenarios abound, but you get the point.
So, its beneficial because we can align our workflow to match your schedule.
Our staff are excited to roll this out
With the fluidity accompanying this pandemic, process changes elicit an expected response from our staff.
With PickupRx though, our team is excited to improve your experience.
Streamlined visits are more enjoyable from our side of the counter as well.
Start Today
This feature is live at all three stores now.
Our public phone numbers all accept text messages:
Oak Harbor 360.675.6688
Clinton 360.341.3885
La Conner 360.466.3124
Remember to include the PickupRx keyword (watch your autocorrect…it likes to throw in spaces)
