The mission of Navy Pharmacy as a member of the Navy healthcare team, is to serve as the professional leadership responsible for optimal pharmaceutical care, including appropriate use of medications, medical devices, provision of drug information services, health promotion and disease prevention in a military operationally-ready environment. The Pharmacy Department at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), is committed to providing the finest quality service available. We offer the following consumer tips to help familiarize you with our pharmacy operations. You'll find information about the availability of services, new and refill prescription information, pharmacy tips, and various related topics.
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The main Outpatient Pharmacy is located in the Naval Hospital, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor. Hours of operation are:
Mon- Fri 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sat 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Holiday and after-hours: Emergency room and hospital discharge prescriptions only.
Scott Center Annex Refill Pharmacy is located across from the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth). Scott Center is a refill only pharmacy.
Hours of operation:
Mon-Fri: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Closed Sundays and Holidays.
What to Expect
When you arrive at the pharmacy, you may have a written prescription or the doctor may have entered your prescription into our computer system. You will be asked to take a ticket from the ticket printer located in the waiting area. This ticket will give you a letter (A or B) and a number designation (E.G. A010, B248).
Refills
The hospital at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is not a refill site. For your convenience, you can call in your refill to the pharmacy nearest you or via TRICARE Online. Refills called into the Scott Center Annex Compound located at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth will be ready in three working days and must be picked up in 7 days. Alternatively you can also utilize the other refill sites such as Boone Clinic, NAS Oceana, Sewells Point, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, Tricare Prime Clinic Virginia Beach, and Tricare Prime Clinic Chesapeake.
Our peak business hours are from 1000 to 1900 on weekdays. Please plan your visit around these times as it may reduce your waiting time.
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- Scott Center Annex: Refill Line: 953-5021
- Tidewater Branch Clinic Pharmacy Refill Line: 314-7477
Oceana Clinic at NAS Oceana, Boone Clinic at NAB Little Creek, Sewells Point Clinic at NOB Norfolk, Yorktown Branch Clinic at NWS Yorktown, Coast Guard Yorktown Reserve Training pharmacy and Coast Guard Integrated Support Command at Portsmouth. The refill lines will also give you hours of operation for the respective clinics.
Navy Pharmacies in the Tidewater Area utilize a formulary or listing of drugs that are stocked at the pharmacy. The formulary is continually revised and an updated copy is available upon request. If you are not sure that we have the medication your doctor wants to prescribe, have them give contact us. Navy facilities cannot fill any medications not included on their formulary. Ask the pharmacy staff about options to obtain medications not carried on the formulary.
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Our dispensing policies are dictated by local, state, federal and Navy regulations.
Maintenance medications (e.g., blood pressure medications) can be written for a 90-day supply with a maximum of 3 refills, for a total of a one year supply (note: the prescription will expire after one year, even if refills are remaining). The prescription must be filled within 90 days of being written by the physician.
Accountable narcotic medications (i.e., Tylox, Demerol, MS-Contin) can usually only be written for 30 doses with NO refills. A 90-day supply with no refills can be given on Ritalin and Dexedrine prescriptions, if noted "Hyperactivity" or "Attention Deficit Disorder". In addition, prescriptions for chronic pain that have "for chronic pain" written on them can be filled for a 30-day supply. All narcotic prescriptions must be filled within 7 days of being written by the doctor. Exception, Ritalin and Dexedrine prescriptions will be honored within 30 days of the date written when used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). ADD must be noted on the face of the prescription.
Controlled Medications (schedule III/IV/V) can be written for a 30-day supply with a maximum of 5 refills. They can be refilled for up to six months. The prescription must be filled within 30 days of being written by the doctor.
Psychotherapeutic/Antidepressant/Anti-Anxiety drugs are not considered maintenance medications, and are available for a 30-day supply only. They can be refilled for up to one year.
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Prescription transfers originating from other MTFs will be honored at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. The medication must be on the current MTF formulary. Prescriptions that CAN NOT be transferred include:
- Prescriptions from civilian pharmacies.
- Prescriptions for controlled medications.
- Prescriptions that were filled more than one year from the present date.
- Prescriptions that are only partially labeled, unlabeled, or the label is illegible.
Every drug that a we take has the potential to produce unexpected effects on our body. If you experience a reaction to a drug, report it to a pharmacist or your health care provider.
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It is the policy of NMCP to ensure that patient care is delivered in a professional and courteous manner, respecting the dignity and rights of our patients. The pharmacy has designated patient contact representatives to ensure you get the best possible service and to provide answers to questions or problems you may experience while visiting the pharmacy. Please click here to give the pharmacy department feedback.
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Patients should be advised to consult their physician and pharmacist with respect to proper drug use. As a further help, here are eight pharmacy tips concerning wise drug use.
1. Do not use anyone's prescription medication, except your own.
2. Your pharmacist can advise you about selecting nonprescription ("over-the-counter") medications and products for your family. Factors such as age, weight, symptoms, allergies, other medications being taken, and other existing ailments influence a medication's power and effectiveness. Read the directions and precautions that accompany over-the-counter medications.
3. Keep medicines securely closed in the original container and out of the reach of children.
4. Take your prescription medication only as directed by your physician. It is just as important not to underdose yourself as it is not to overdose yourself.
5. Be mindful of expiration dates on all medications and properly dispose of outdated medication. We advise that you throw away your old medication vials. Once a new prescription is entered for you, your old medication number is discontinued. You should only have one active prescription for each medication.
6. Keep your prescription medication in its original container. Understand any special storage instructions about your medicine before leaving the pharmacy.
7. Always inform your doctor and pharmacy personnel of any drug allergies you may have.
8. Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, before receiving any new medication.
- NMCP Outpatient Pharmacy 953-0258
- Scott Center Annex 953-5970
- Pharmacy Office 953-0243
- Pharmacy Ambulatory Clinic 953-2365
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