Introduction to Services

VCHOS Pharmacy is a Specialty Pharmacy offering personalized pharmacy services exclusively to the patients of Ventura County Hematology Oncology Specialists.

VCHOS Specialty Pharmacy emphasizes the importance of patient care and quality customer service. We have a team of Pharmacy Technicians, Nurses, Physician Assistants, Patient Care Coordinators, and Reimbursement Specialists who will work closely with you and your physician throughout your course of therapy.

Hours of Operation

A Pharmacy Technician is available during business hours to assist you with any questions or concerns regarding your medication, at 805-485-8709, extension 126. Messages left after 5 pm will be returned the following business day.

Our On-call Physicians are available after 5 pm, on weekends and holidays when the office is closed at 805-485-8709 for urgent matters regarding your medications.

Our Pharmacy is in the Oxnard office, 1700 North Rose Avenue, Suite 320. We are open 5 days a week for all your prescription processing needs.

Our Specialty Pharmacy is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time). The VCHOS Pharmacy location will be closed on the following holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas (December 25)
• Any additional days closed will be posted in the office and pharmacy

Patient Management Program

VCHOS Specialty Pharmacy believes that treatment is enhanced when patients and caregivers can make informed decisions about their medication therapy. We provide a management program to assist our patients who are receiving specialty medications. This service helps you understand, manage, and comply with your drug treatment. In addition, the Pharmacy provides assistance to those patients experiencing difficulty taking, obtaining, or following their medication schedule.

VCHOS Specialty Pharmacy services include

• An initial assessment and recommendation for treatment by your VCHOS physician
• Education and counseling with the Pharmacy Technician or Physician Assistant, designed to enhance patient understanding and appropriate use of his/her medications
• Information and resources designed to enhance patient compliance with specialty drug administration
• Insurance authorization and coverage determination
• Cost of treatment, including the patient's share of cost, will be provided prior to dispensing the medication, or at the time of delivery
• Application for financial assistance, if needed
• Coordination of healthcare services, with promoting continuity of care with providers, and other healthcare professionals participating in the patient's care

We will protect your health information (“PHI”) in accordance with the policies of Ventura County Hematology Oncology Specialists. PHI is information that may identify you and that relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition and related healthcare services or payment for those services.

Safe Storage and Disposal of Cancer Medications

During and after cancer treatment, people may have 1 or more medications to take at home. These powerful medications can be very harmful if someone other than the person with cancer takes them. Therefore, you and your caregivers need to know the safest ways to store and dispose of specific medications.

Special handling of oral chemotherapy

Many chemotherapy drugs are now taken by mouth as take-home prescriptions. Although this is more convenient, you must consider several important aspects

• Store all chemotherapy in its original container, in a safe place, and away from all other medications. Always keep medications out of the reach of children and/or pets.
• Most oral chemotherapy should be stored at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. This means you should not place chemotherapy on a windowsill, near a sink, or in a bathroom.
• Some types of chemotherapy require special storage or handling, such as refrigeration. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to store your medication.
• If you use a pill box or other type of medication organizer, keep 1 for chemotherapy and 1 for any other medication(s). Clearly label both boxes.
• Consider storing your medications separately from those of your other family members. You could keep them on a different shelf or in a different cabinet or drawer.
• Keep all your medications in a place with good lighting so you can read the label and take the correct amount.
• Save and organize the information leaflets the pharmacy gives you with your prescriptions. These documents remind you when and how to take your medication, about any special storage directions, and what potential side effects you may experience.
• Keep the local poison control center's telephone number handy in case a pet, child, or other member of your household accidentally swallows the medication. The national number, which will route you to the local center based on your area code, is 800-222-1222.

General disposal tips

When you no longer need a medication, you should get rid of it as safely as possible. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist or read the informational guide that came with the prescription to learn how to safely dispose of each medication. Options may include

• Participating in a local drug take-back program. Prescription medication take-back programs allow people to bring any unused or expired drugs to a central location to properly dispose of them. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors national prescription drug take-back days every 6 months, with collection sites around the country. Contact your local law enforcement office and your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community.
• Do not throw away chemotherapy pills. You should never throw out or flush leftover chemotherapy. Normally, you will not have extra oral chemotherapy because doctors typically prescribe it in the exact dosage and amount necessary. But if you do, return it to your doctor or nurse for disposal. Also, ask a member of your health care team ahead of time if you should return the empty containers or any other chemotherapy waste to the doctor's office or treatment center for safe disposal.

If you have additional questions about disposing of unused or expired medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to proceed. You can also call the FDA at 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I refill my prescriptions?
Our Pharmacy team will contact you prior to your refill and schedule pick up. You may also contact the pharmacy to request a refill at 805-485-8709, extension 126.

What is the policy on returning medications?
Pharmacy law prohibits the return of medications once they have been received by a patient.

How am I alerted if there is a drug recall?
VCHOS Pharmacy handles all drug recalls and notifies all patients affected by recalled products.

What if I have questions about my medications?
Pharmacy technicians and nurses at VCHOS are available to answer your prescription questions.

What do I do if I believe there is an error in prescription order?
We are always available to answer any questions or concerns about your prescriptions. If you feel that there is an error, please contact us right away.

How do I get information on disposing of unused/unneeded medications?
Do not flush medicines down the sink or toilet unless this information specifically instructs you to do so. Call your local law enforcement agencies to see if they sponsor Medicine Take-Back Programs in your community. Great information can be found on the FDA Website.

Where can I get help with financial assistance?
If your prescription is not covered by your insurance, we will work with your physician to either get approval, switch to a covered medication or search for foundation coverage to help with payment. For complete benefit information, please contact your medical insurance provider. Their contact number will be located on the back of your identification card.

What if VCHOS Pharmacy cannot fill my medication?
If VCHOS Specialty Pharmacy is not contracted to fill your medication, we will send your prescription to a preferred pharmacy, and let you and your physician know what pharmacy it was transferred to, as well as their contact information.

When will my specialty medication be available?
Once your medication is paid for by your insurance and ready to fill, most prescriptions will be available the following day. We will keep you updated and let you know when your medication will be ready for pick. If you have a specific need with your medication, please communicate that to us.

How will I know if there is a delay in my order or if my medication is unavailable?
Your care team at VCHOS Pharmacy will give you updates throughout the order process from start until completion. If there is a problem ordering your medication, your team will work to resolve the issue by researching alternative paths to order medication, even if it means sending your prescription to another. If there are unforeseen circumstances (emergencies, natural disasters) that cause the medication to be unavailable, we will work with your physician to get you an alternative medication. Whatever the resolution is, your care team will keep you and your physician informed throughout the process so you always know your prescription status.

Will I be receiving brand name or generic medications?
VCHOS Pharmacy fills cost saving, generic equivalent prescription medications as required by state law, unless you or your physician require otherwise. Many specialty medications do not have available generic equivalents, but if they do we substitute only approved generic equivalents to brand name specialty medications.

What do I do if I am having side effects from my specialty medication?
If you are having an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. If you do not feel that it is an emergency, please call 805-485-8709 and speak to a Nurse during our business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we have a Physician available for urgent issues 24 hours a day/7 days a week by calling the same number 1-805-485-8709. This number will forward to the answering service when the office is closed.

Patient Satisfaction, Concerns and Compliments

At VCHOS, we strive to fulfill your needs with complete satisfaction. We want to hear everything. If you have any concerns or complaints about VCHOS Pharmacy, we would like to have them reported to us. You may contact us in the following ways

By phone

• Pharmacy Manager: 805-485-8709 ext 126
• VCHOS Administrator: 805-485-8709 ext 119

By mail

• 1700 N Rose Avenue, Suite 320, Oxnard, CA 93030