Pharmacy Services

Chemotherapy and Infusion Therapy

Hours of operation

• Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Phone Numbers: 717-531-4989 or 717-531-4972

Located in room T1108 across the hall from Day Infusion Services, the chemotherapy and infusion pharmacy provides high-quality pharmaceutical care for patients being treated at Penn State Cancer Institute, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Clinical Staff Pharmacists and Certified Pharmacy Technicians work closely with your physicians and nurses to make certain that safe orders are being written and prepared for your scheduled treatments. If you are on a research protocol, your physician and research coordinator will remain in close contact with our pharmacists.

Prior to each treatment, your current weight and any ordered lab values (e.g. white blood cell count, platelets, kidney and liver function values) are evaluated to ensure the safe administration and dosing of your drug. The nurse reviews any concerns regarding lab values with your physician.

The pharmacists are available to answer questions about the drugs you are receiving. They are your drug experts, and can address concerns regarding other medications, drug interactions, side effects, and food-drug interactions. Please do not hesitate to ask your nurse or doctor for a visit from your pharmacist while you are here.

Retail Pharmacy Services

For your convenience, upon discharge from the hospital, clinic, or infusion area, a retail pharmacy is available to address your at-home medication needs. Conveniently located in room T1100 inside the main entrance of the Medical Center and a short distance from the Cancer Institute entrance, the pharmacy has expanded hours to meet the needs of patients.

If you use our pharmacy to fill the prescriptions that you will take at home, your complete drug therapy and profile is available to all Penn State Health providers. This allows your team to monitor for drug-to-drug interactions and further promotes collaboration between care providers.

Hours of operation

• Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Phone: 717-531-1272
Fax: 717-531-0080

Prescription Assistance Program Staff and Care Coordination (Inpatient) or Outpatient Social Worker

For patients with questions or concerns about insurance coverage, how to pay for treatments, or prescription needs, a care coordinator or social worker is available to meet with you to provide information, discuss your options and answer questions.

If you have concerns, it is best to address them before starting any treatments. Please ask to speak to a member of your care coordination team (inpatient) or your social worker (outpatient), to determine if there are programs for which you might be eligible.

When necessary, the care coordinators and social workers will collaborate with our prescription assistance program staff to facilitate access to medication assistance programs and other funds that may be available to patients who are uninsured or underinsured.

Phone Numbers: 717-531-2982 or 717-531-1023

General Information

• Bring all prescription medication bottles with you to each doctor’s appointment. Also list any over-the-counter medications (vitamins, herbs, etc.).
• Inform your doctor of any medication allergies.
• Take your prescription medications as prescribed by your physician.
• For any questions or concerns about your medication, please contact your doctor or nurse coordinator.
• Narcotic prescriptions (i.e. morphine) cannot be called or faxed into a pharmacy. You must hand carry the prescription.
• Please request medication refills from the physician’s office that prescribed the medication originally.
• If you believe that you are having a medication reaction (e.g. rash, extreme fatigue, severe diarrhea, dizziness), please notify the doctor or nurse coordinator right away. Do not wait several days before calling us.

Refills

If you are leaving a phone message requesting a refill of your medication, please provide your

• Name and date of birth
• Name of medication and dosage
• The name of the physician who ordered the medication
• One month or three month supply preferred
• Pharmacy name, and phone number

It is best to request medication refills during your doctor’s visit.

When you request a refill via telephone, please allow 48 hours’ notice. In addition, allow two weeks’ notice to receive prescriptions from us in the mail.

Do not wait to request prescription refills when you are down to your last pill.

If you are receiving your medications via mail order, it is your (the patient’s) responsibility to request the refill according to the directions the mail order company provides when the original order was filled.

Prescription Authorizations

Some medications do require authorization. Depending on the insurance company and your insurance plan, it may take one week or more to receive the authorization.

Mail- Order Prescriptions (if your plan permits)

Some prescriptions can be filled at a local pharmacy or (if your plan permits) through mail order.

It is the patient’s responsibility to register with the mail-order company.

Financial Assistance

If you need financial assistance information, please turn to the Resources section.

If you need assistance paying for your medications, please speak to a Social Worker or Care Coordinator.