Houston, MO— Friday, August 21st will be the last day of operations for Texas County Memorial Hospital Hutcheson Pharmacy the hospital announced today.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Bill Bridges, TCMH chief executive officer, said. “Our leadership team and board of trustees carefully evaluated every aspect of our retail pharmacy operations before reaching this conclusion.”
Recent manufacturing restrictions affect retail pharmacy operations, ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining full-time pharmacists, and evolving patient utilization trends led TCMH administration and board of trustees to make the decision to cease retail pharmacy operations in August.
“We understand this change may be difficult for our patients,” Bridges acknowledged, adding, “We are confident we can help every TCMH Hutcheson Pharmacy patient make a seamless transition to a new, local pharmacy.”
Patients with active prescriptions at Hutcheson Pharmacy will receive assistance transferring their medications to the pharmacy of their choice. Pharmacy staff will work directly with patients to help ensure there is no interruption in medication therapy.
Patients who participate in the TCMH 340B Prescription Assistance Program will continue to receive their program benefits. Eligible patients will be able to continue receiving their 340B Prescription Assistance Program benefits by filling their prescriptions through local pharmacies that participate with TCMH in the 340B program.
Bridges noted that the TCMH Hutcheson Pharmacy’s expenses were exceeding budgeted expectations with little opportunity for change due to the new federal laws and pharmacy staff recruiting and retention.
“The health and well-being of the patients in Texas County and the surrounding area is our highest priority, and this change will save funds that can be spent on other healthcare services and needs that only TCMH can provide,” Bridges said.
The closure of Hutcheson Pharmacy will not affect any other hospital or clinic services. TCMH remains committed to providing comprehensive healthcare close to home through its hospital, physician clinics, emergency department, specialty care, surgical services, rehabilitation, home health, hospice, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, and many other healthcare programs. The office building that houses TCMH Hutcheson Pharmacy will continue to contain operations for TCMH Hospice of Care and Home Health of the Ozarks as well as a satellite clinic for visiting specialty physicians at the hospital.
Patients with questions about prescription transfers, the 340B Prescription Assistance Program, or the pharmacy closure are encouraged to contact Hutcheson Pharmacy at 417-967-4139 before August 21. Pharmacy staff are available to answer questions and help patients through the process.
