Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy to Close Friday for
The BVI Health Services Authority has announced the temporary closure of the Outpatient Pharmacy at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital on Friday, September 18, 2026, for an annual inventory count. Patients must complete all pharmacy transactions, including prescription pickups and payments, before 4:00 p.m. on Thursday to avoid disruption to their medication access.
The BVI Health Services Authority has informed the public that the Outpatient Pharmacy located at the Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital on Tortola will be temporarily closed on Friday, September 18, 2026, to conduct its mandatory annual physical inventory count. According to healthcare officials, the full-day closure is a standard auditing procedure required across hospital pharmacies.
The comprehensive count allows the medical facility to establish an accurate baseline for stock management, identify any inventory discrepancies, and ensure adherence to safe dispensing practices throughout the Territory. Officials noted that while the process causes a brief disruption, conducting regular full counts helps prevent future stockouts, reduces waste from expired medications, and strengthens overall supply-chain efficiency.
To ensure uninterrupted access to essential medications, the BVIHSA is urging patients and clients to complete all necessary pharmacy business well ahead of time. This includes picking up pending prescriptions, refilling regular medications, and processing required payments. All transactions at the outpatient facility must be finalized before 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17.
Health authorities emphasized that advance planning is particularly vital for individuals managing chronic illnesses, elderly residents, and caregivers who depend on a steady supply of prescription drugs. Members of the community are encouraged to inspect their current medication supplies promptly and take proactive steps to prevent running out during the scheduled shutdown.
For patients who may require urgent pharmaceutical assistance during the closure on Friday, the Authority advises contacting the hospital directly or adhering to any alternative arrangements established by the BVIHSA. The BVI Health Services Authority apologized for the inconvenience the temporary shutdown may cause and expressed sincere gratitude to the Virgin Islands public for their ongoing patience, understanding, and cooperation as staff members complete the inventory process.
Primary source: 284 Media