Construction in the Campus Health Service pharmacy may be completed today, providing UA students with a more spacious, private place to fill their prescriptions, Campus Health officials said.
UA officials were aware that some renovations were needed in the pharmacy area when they moved into the new location about two years ago, said Kris Kreutz, Campus Health Administrative Services director.
“”In the case of the pharmacy, we identified an opportunity to improve the efficiency of that facility,”” Kreutz said.
Kreutz said the greatest benefits of the new pharmacy setup would include faster service, more lobby space and increased privacy, which some pharmacists said has been an issue.
“”Our pharmacists have been very concerned about (privacy) because they’re broadcasting to patients while people are waiting in the waiting room,”” Kreutz said.
Kreutz said privacy will improve through the addition of glass panels that separate the pharmacy from the waiting area. Other renovations include the installment of one primary prescription drop-off window and pick-up windows that keep patients out of the “”main flow”” of the pharmacy.
Although the pharmacy itself will not gain any additional space in terms of square-footage, Kreutz said the new construction allows for more waiting space for pharmacy patrons and for the Counseling and Psychological Services program. The more efficient use of space will also allow pharmacists to display over-the-counter products in areas where students can view them.
Kreutz assured students that the $55,000 cost would not mean another hike in tuition or tax costs because the funding is left over from the pharmacy’s initial building budget.
“”The money being used is still available under the original construction budget,”” Kreutz said. “”We collectively worked to build this facility as effectively as possible.””
Rebecca Moreno, Campus Health’s chief pharmacist, said working in the pharmacy during construction has been a challenge.
“”It was very close quarters,”” Moreno said. “”We were working in about one-sixth of the space our pharmacy takes up.””
Jessica Corl, a psychology junior, said she was glad to learn that Campus Health had made such an effort to make privacy a priority.
“”It’s good that if people are embarrassed about the prescriptions they need, they can get them in confidence,”” Corl said. “”Privacy is really important when it comes to medicine, because people judge on that.””
Moreno said she is pleased about the pharmacy’s opportunity to maximize efficiency and privacy as a result of the renovations, and has enjoyed working in the pharmacy’s full space; a privilege that began last week.
“”We got through (the construction) and it was worth it,”” Moreno said. “”The flow is much better.””
