Quality service is the best medicine

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Krystal M. Garrett
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Yokota Air Base, Japan --  Imagine coming to work and restocking more than 1,000 medications, preparing more than 300 prescriptions and answering telephone calls throughout the day all while managing a customer service counter. This is what the Yokota pharmacy clinic deals with on a daily basis.

The 374th Medical Group pharmacy clinic is made up of two pharmacists and five technicians and charged with providing safe, timely and effective medications to all patients at Yokota.

"Work can get pretty hectic sometimes," said Staff Sgt. Thuduras Piert, 374 MDG pharmacy technician. "With the majority of our prescriptions coming daily from clinic appointments, as well as patients picking up refills, we stay exceptionally busy during the day from start to finish."

In addition to the outpatient aspect, the pharmacy clinic also supports patients that are admitted to the hospital.

"We have an important mission when it comes to inpatient care," said Piert. "At any given time, we provide a range of medications to an average of five patients currently receiving treatment, as well as providing 20 clinics medications."
Medications are shipped twice a week from the U.S., allowing the clinic to operate at max capacity.

"Coordinating supply shipments is definitely the most challenging part of our job," said Capt. Lucas Gasco, 374th Medical Support Squadron pharmacist. "Being overseas, we are at a disadvantage when it comes to receiving medications on time."

Even though the job can be challenging at times, Gasco still sees the bigger picture.

"I'm not just here to give patients the correct medications," said Gasco. "I'm also here to heal and provide safe care. If I can make a patient's day, it makes my day."