Nick Hayward / The Daily EvergreenFreshman kinesiology major Kevin Damitio picks up his prescription Monday from the new pharmacy in Health and Wellness Services.

WSU Health and Wellness Services aims to give patients more privacy at its new pharmacy.

Crews remodeled and expanded the pharmacy and reception areas this summer, relocating the new pharmacy closer to the entrance of the Washington Building for easier patient access.

Money generated by the pharmacy, billing and student health fees paid for the $400,000 project, which took seven months to complete, said Karen Harlander, the program’s pharmacy business manager.

“Some of the responses we got at our open house were: ‘It smells new,’ ‘It looks new,’ ‘It doesn’t smell like an old hospital anymore,’” she said.

The pharmacy now includes separate pharmacist counseling bays and divided glass receptionist stalls.

It also features two walk-up windows and a cashier bay, compared to the one counseling window and cashier at the old pharmacy.

The two counseling bays foster an environment that provides greater protection for patient confidentiality, Harlander said. The three new glass stalls in the lobby give students a place to sit and talk with a receptionist without having to worry about other patients overhearing them, she said.

Dr. Dennis Garcia said the pharmacy now has two full-time pharmacists and three full-time pharmacy technicians.

“This should allow us to service more students and patients,” Garcia said, “and continue to provide the best pharmacy services on the Palouse.”

While the primary focus of the remodel was privacy, another concern was increased staff efficiency, Harlander said.

Staff members used to share workstations, but now each has their own, she said, allowing them to better handle the influx of students.

The pharmacy has experienced an increase of about 30 to 40 prescriptions per day during the past two years, she said. Before the remodel, the pharmacy struggled to meet the demand, Harlander said.

“Generally at Health and Wellness, prescriptions are filled within 10 minutes from the time it is received,” Garcia said. “So, I don't think prescriptions are filled any quicker, but there is definitely more space for them to do their job.”