Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does WRNMMC carry my medication?
Please call us at (301) 295-2123.
What is the maximum quantity I can receive?
- 90-day supply for most medications
- Ask your doctor for a 90-day prescription to minimize trips to the pharmacy.
How can I request refills?
Where can I pick up refills?
Refills may be scheduled for pick up at the following locations (please allow 3 business days for processing):
- Branch Health Clinic Dahlgren
- Branch Health Clinic Indian Head
- Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
- Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Clinic
- Malcolm Grow Medical Clinics and Surgery Center
- Naval Health Clinic Annapolis
- Naval Health Clinic Lakehurst
- Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River
- Naval Health Clinic Quantico
- Naval Health Clinic Washington Navy Yard
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
What is the difference between a refill and a renewal?
If your provider authorizes refills on your prescription, you are able to fill your prescription and refill it up to the authorized number of times. However, depending on the type of medication, your prescription will expire within one year or less, including any unused refills. When your prescription expires or you run out of refills, your provider must order a new prescription to continue your medication. This is called a renewal.
What if WRNMMC doesn’t carry my medication?
When a medication is prescribed to you that we do not carry, it is called a non-formulary drug request. Non-formulary drug requests follow a unique process:
- Your doctor must submit a special order electronically.
- The order is thoroughly reviewed and approved or disapproved.
- You will be notified with the status of the request.
- If approved, you will be given the information you need to get your prescription and order refills or renewals, if applicable. Once approved, non-formulary drug prescriptions may take up to five business days to process.
How should I dispose of unused or unwanted medication?
Learn more from the FDA.
Can I return used syringes and sharps containers to the pharmacy?
Used needles and sharps containers cannot be returned to the pharmacy. However, they can be taken to the Central Distribution Department (CDD) in the basement of Building 9, near Cafe 8901. This is also where new sharps containers can be picked up.
What are some of WRNMMC's pharmacy policies?
New telephone-ordered prescriptions are not accepted. Faxed prescriptions are accepted only at the NEX Pharmacy. Electronic signatures on paper prescriptions are accepted only for non-controlled substances. Valid prescriptions will be filled following quantity restrictions and refill limitations.
Non-controlled medications (e.g. for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, etc.) - A prescription for a non-controlled medication may only be filled within 1 year of the date originally written. Refills of these prescriptions are available within 1 year of the original prescription date and only if authorized by the prescriber.
Schedule III, IV, and V medications (e.g. for mild to moderate pain, sleep, etc.) - A prescription for a controlled substance classified in DEA Schedule III, IV, or V may be filled within 6 months of the date originally written. These prescriptions may be refilled up to five times within a 6-month period from the date originally written, only if authorized by the prescriber.
Schedule II medications (e.g. for severe pain, ADHD, etc.) - A prescription for a controlled substance classified as a DEA Schedule II shall be filled within 30 days of the date originally written.
Please contact the Pharmacy Department for further information or to suggest additional FAQs.