Putting Veterans First: The G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center Rolls Out PARK a Prescription

This innovative functionality, part of the Computerized Health Record System (CPRS) 32B release, empowers Veterans to take a more active role in managing their medications while streamlining processes for VA providers and pharmacy teams.

How PARK a Prescription Works

PARK a Prescription is designed to reduce unnecessary medication fills and give Veterans greater control over when and how they receive their prescriptions. Unlike the traditional HOLD function, where a provider holds onto a prescription until the patient needs it, PARK allows patients to request fills or refills at their convenience. This system is ideal for Veterans who already have a supply of a medication, those with frequently changing doses, or those still deciding whether to start a new medication. By “parking” a prescription, providers ensure the medication is available and ready but not automatically dispensed. This reduces the use of excess medication and prevents confusion or waste.

Once a prescription is PARKed, Veterans or their caregivers can request a fill or refill through several convenient methods. These options include using the MyHealtheVet (MHV) online refill system or the VA Rx Refill mobile app, calling the number on the VA prescription label, or completing the mail-in refill form included with their medication packaging. At the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, all controlled substances and long-acting injectable antipsychotics are excluded from PARKing to ensure safety.

A Veteran-Centered Approach

Dr. Carey Thompson, Assistant Chief of Pharmacy Service at the medical center, shared, “PARK a Prescription gives our Veterans more choice and control in their care. It reduces waste, lowers costs, and supports their health goals by ensuring medications are only filled when truly needed.”

PARK a Prescription is not just about convenience. It is about smart, Veteran-centered care. The system reduces unnecessary co-pays for Veterans, cuts costs and environmental waste by limiting unused medications, gives Veterans more control over their health care decisions, and improves efficiency for VA healthcare teams.

Looking Ahead

Recognizing these benefits, the medical center identified PARK as a Healthcare Efficiency and Resource Optimization (HERO) initiative for Fiscal Year 2025. Progress and success are tracked on a dedicated dashboard created by the VISN 15 Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM), providing real-time data to support ongoing improvements.

Since its rollout, PARK a Prescription has been met with enthusiasm from both Veterans and staff. It is another example of the VA’s commitment to putting Veterans at the center of their care while ensuring the responsible and cost-effective use of resources. As awareness of PARK grows among staff and Veterans, the G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center looks forward to expanding this innovative project.