That's nice. Unfortunately, it's not even a drop in the bucket, given the number of veterans and locations far from VA facilities.
While perhaps useful as a pilot program, I doubt that it will make much difference, other than providing publicity benefits.

In my opinion, the funds would be better spent providing compensation to those deserving of it, rather than the VA's long standing practice of figuring out how to evade paying just compensation, in order to meet management's cost and performance goals.

RE: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,164274,00.html

It may be able to do 1000 prescriptions in one hour but actually will do maybe 10 per hour. This is based on what my VA pharmacy does fully staffed with 5 people. Be honest about this and tell the truth. This is almost as bad as the robots that are being used in some VA medical centers to deliver and pickup the mail. WASTE of money.

It sounds like a good idea.I think VA. trys to do the right thing,but with paperwork,red tape etc.Most of the improvments take longer then expected.

The VA mobile pharmacy will need armed guards and concertina, especially if narcotics are on board.

I am a 26 y/o AF veteran and I am also a pharmacy student. I agree with the others who say this is a waste of money... the idea is good, the money it is going to cost is way too much!! If any where near 1000 people were to come to this pharmacy-mobile, chances are it's a populated area that already has a VA... who approved this?

If the veterans administration would pay a little more for the medicines that they currently ship thru the mail as standard mail and ship them priority mail , most of the veterans would receive them the next day and it would certainly be a lot cheaper…….and by the way if any of you know anyone getting out of the military service soon remind them that they can make the postal service give them a test for employment… In certain parts of the country it is above average pay

If I read the full article correctly, this mobile pharmacy's primary role is for emergency pharmaceutical care. It was not designed to take care of distant veterans. The 1000 prescriptions per hour was explaining how many prescriptions could be filled by the robots at the VA's Mail Order Pharmacy and not the mobile unit. My guess is the VA is working with the DOD to attempt to be better prepared when the next natural disaster occurs. I think it is an honorable effort by our government to assist when that need again arises. As a civilian pharmacist, I can tell maplestreet208 that while your perception of your VA hospital might be correct, that is not the norm. There is much more happening in that department that you will never be aware of. Give them a break and alow them the time to safely prepare your medication.