Pharmacy

Pharmacy Eligibility

The Spangdahlem Pharmacy provides full outpatient pharmacy services to eligible beneficiaries. To fill prescriptions at any DHA medical facility, beneficiaries must be validated and registered through the TRICARE office. Patients without TRICARE medical coverage are required to provide Other Health Insurance information before picking up medications. Prescriptions are billed to the civilian insurance on file or directly to the patient. It’s the patient’s sole responsibility to understand their civilian prescription coverage and associated copays.

The Spangdahlem Pharmacy operates a medication formulary following the rules and limitations set by the Defense Health Agency Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Storage space is limited and while most medications are readily available for dispensing, if a medication is not stocked, patients should expect delivery to take an average of four to six weeks to receive.  

Our Military Pharmacy Services

The Spangdahlem Pharmacy services all military treatment facility provider prescriptions and approved local national prescriptions that meet American pharmacy standards.

New Prescriptions/Renewal Prescriptions

 All new prescriptions must be activated prior to pick-up. You can do this via one of the following options:    

1. Come into the pharmacy and speak with a pharmacy representative or fill out an activation slip for processing.
2. Call the appointment line, +49 06565618333, and follow the prompts to speak to a pharmacy staff member.

Refills

 Request prescription refills using one of the following options:

1. Log into the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.
   1. Click on the “RX Refills” tab on the top right of the homepage.
   2. You can see all your prescriptions that are available for refill and select the pharmacy you would like to refill them at.
2. Call your refills in with the automated telephone line on the prescription bottle.

*If urgent refills are required, patients must check in with the pharmacy directly. Pharmacy workload, staffing, and medication urgency will determine turnaround time.

German Civilian Handwritten Prescriptions

Prescriptions filled at a DHA pharmacy must meet U.S. standards for prescribing. Please ensure the prescription contains the following information:

• Provider’s name, address, and contact information
• Date prescription was written
• Patient’s name and date of birth
• U.S. medication name (trade or generic), strength, directions for use (in English), quantity, and approved refills to dispense
• Provider’s stamp and signature so pharmacist can identify the provider

Please see our guide on German prescription requirements.

Transferring Prescriptions

You may transfer prescriptions to our military pharmacy if you have prescriptions at another DOD or civilian pharmacy. This must be initiated in person at the pharmacy window. For transfers from a civilian pharmacy, please expect a longer turnaround time to allow our pharmacists ample time to communicate with those pharmacies in different time zones.

What is the difference between a refill, a renewal, and a new prescription?

Refill prescriptions: These are medications for which you have refills remaining on your current prescription and you either call the automated line or initiate to be filled through the MHS Genesis Patient portal.
Renewal prescriptions: These are medications you are currently taking, but have no refills remaining, requiring a new order from a provider. These are treated as new prescriptions since they must go through initial checks for accuracy, appropriateness, and safety by the pharmacy. These prescriptions are activated via the “new prescription” process stated above.
New prescriptions: These are prescriptions that are written by a provider that a patient has not yet taken and are activated via the “new prescription” process stated above.

Who can pick up medications?

 To pick up medications for someone other than yourself (including dependents 13 years or older), you must have the patient’s DOD ID card. A front and back paper copy or picture is also acceptable. Dependents 13 years or older may pick up their own medications with a valid DOD ID card.

Other Helpful Information:

 Prescription Turnaround Times may be adjusted due to manning, formulary restraints, or if your prescription needs clarification from the provider before processing
 
**All prescriptions are returned to stock five duty days after fill**
 

TRICARE Formulary Search Tool

 Prior authorizations are required for certain medications.
Use the TRICARE Formulary Search Tool to look up your drug. A search can tell you:

• Formulary status (generic drug, brand-name drug, non-formulary drug, non-covered drug)
• Where the prescription can be filled
• Copayments and limitations, such as prior-authorization
• Coverage review requirements and forms
• Alternative medications, including costs

To start your search, you’ll need to put in the brand name or generic name of the drug and then select the strength prescribed, as well as your sex and age.

**The prescribing provider must fill out the PA form and submit it before pharmacy will dispense medications. This includes local national providers. Patients may print the form and take it to the provider**

Filling Prescriptions Off Base

 Germany does not allow medications to be imported. Therefore, ExpressScripts Mail Order utilization is not available. Patients can fill local national (German) prescriptions at a local Apotheke and may be reimbursed by TRICARE. Please speak to a Tricare member for more information or visit Pharmacy Claims | TRICARE.

Medication Disposal

 Medications that are expired or are no longer being taken can be brought to the pharmacy for disposal. Controlled medications require a different disposal process and cannot be received back by the pharmacy, but those can be brought to the pharmacy, and we will assist with that process.