How meds enter the war zones - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

How meds enter the war zones

* Many troops receive prescription medications in bulk bottles before deploying. Military medical facilities often dole out six-month supplies as part of predeployment preparations. These drugs go overseas in personal baggage.

* Many troops receive prescription refills through the Tricare Mail Order program, which sends individual prescriptions through the U.S. Postal Service. This is especially common for troops on longer deployments. These drugs are sent to individual military postal addresses, just like any other care package from home.

* Military treatment facilities in theater receive bulk drug shipments through routine logistical channels. These drugs are purchased by the Defense Logistics Agency in Philadelphia and initially shipped to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. From there, they are sent to fill individual orders from medical facilities downrange for troops who start taking medications while deployed.

* Troops also can order any and all drugs online. For those willing to spend their own money, the Internet is a source for drugs that medical officials may be unwilling to provide.