CHCC debuts drive-thru pharmacy

The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s long-time dream has finally become a reality after officially opening the CNMI’s first drive-thru outpatient pharmacy yesterday that makes it easier for its patients to pick up their medication at the hospital.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday, CHCC chief of ancillary services Jesse Tudela said the outpatient pharmacy provides convenience for patients who need access to medication and provides a pleasant and safe workplace for employees.

The outpatient pharmacy is open from 8am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 4:30pm on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.

“This new, 750-square-foot building space with a drive-thru for our CHCC outpatient pharmacy has been a dream for several years. The first drive-thru pharmacy in the CNMI aims to introduce this service for faster dispensing of medications, to improve patient satisfaction, and convenience while ensuring their safety from infectious diseases,” said Tudela.

CHCC has been working for many years now to build a drive-thru outpatient pharmacy to provide its patients with a more accessible way to pick up their medication. That need was further emphasized when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

Over three years later, CHCC’s dream became a reality as they officially unveiled the new outpatient pharmacy drive-thru yesterday.

“This addition of a drive-thru will make it more convenient for patients to pick up medication without the hassle of having to leave their vehicles. The need for more space and convenience arose to improve access to medication while ensuring the preventative measures suggested by the World Health Organization and [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] to combat COVID-19 and future infectious diseases,” he said.

In a statement from CHCC CEO Esther Muña, she said one of the challenges CHCC experienced during COVID-19 was that patients were refusing to get their medication because it was a critical time, especially for those who were immunocompromised.

“We wanted to develop a way for patients to get their medication with minimal contact and a drive-thru pharmacy was the answer. This drive-thru pharmacy is the outcome of the Territorial Action Plan that the Office of the Governor, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the COVID-19 Task Force at CHCC developed to address the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of both our patients and our staff. Part of that plan was to build a drive-thru for our pharmacy,” she said.

Muna said the Department of the Interior provided the funding for the project, while RNV Construction built the drive-thru.

“I also want to thank Jesse Tudela and the facilities team, Delegate Gregorio Sablan (D-MP) for assisting with the CARES Act, Homeland Security, our board of trustees, the community, physicians and providers, and the staff and patients for their patience and feedback. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to come up with this kind of idea,” she said.

Speaking at yesterday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios congratulated CHCC and said this outpatient pharmacy is a valuable investment in the CNMI community.

“During COVID, it was obvious that we needed to get something like this done. This is certainly a valuable investment for our community. I’m sure this is something our Saipan community will really appreciate,” he said.

The over $1.3-million drive-thru outpatient pharmacy was also made possible by the CARES Act.