Dear Parents/Guardians:
In our ongoing commitment to ensure the safety of campers who will be taking medications, vitamins or supplements on a daily basis while at camp, we have selected J Drugs, a pharmacy who supplies pre-packaged medications, to supply medications to our campers for the upcoming summer season.
Pre-packaged medications provide for a safe, sterile and potentially error free way to dispense medications. This distribution method is endorsed by the State of Pennsylvania and the American Camp Association and is used by hospitals, nursing homes, schools and camps throughout the United States.
Our policy for dispensing medicine requires ALL campers who take any form of daily pill, capsule, gelcap or the like, both prescription AND non-perscription, to use J Drugs to package their medications, including over the counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Exceptions that do not need to go through J Drugs are: Growth Hormones, EpiPens, liquid medication and rescue inhalers. We ask that you ship these specific medications to arrive at Camp at least 5 days before your camper’s arrival date. If this is not possible, these specific medications should be given to your child’s bus counselors, and they will deliver them to the infirmary.
PARTICIPATION USING JDRUGS IS MANDATORY FOR ALL CAMPERS WHO TAKE MEDICATIONS, VITAMINS, OR SUPPLEMENTS ON A DAILY BASIS.
PLEASE NOTE: Copies of all prescriptions and doctor’s notes must also be submitted to the camp along with the campers health history form.
● All orders for medication must be placed directly through J Drugs. NO EXCEPTIONS
● To order non-prescription items (Over the counter medications, vitamins, and supplements) through J Drugs, a doctor’s note or parent’s note is required.
● In addition to the cost of medication and/or your co-pay, J Drugs Charges a $20 fee for Registration.
● The deadline for this program is May 5th, 2024 for full summer and first month campers. The deadline for second month campers is June 1st, 2024, A late fee of $25 per camper will be charged for all medications ordered after this deadline. If submitted after June 1st an additional $40 rush packaging fee will be applied for first month and full session campers. Second month campers submitted after July 1st, will have the same $40 rush packaging fee as well.
● J Drugs accepts NYS Medicaid, and all Major insurances
● Any prescription medication sent in to J Drugs for repackaging will be charged an additional $20 packaging fee.
● If you are tapering or changing medication, please fill out the form prior to the deadline and put a note saying that you are not sure of dosage/meds to avoid incurring a late fee. We recommend finalizing all changes by June 1st for 1st month campers and July first for 2nd month campers. Changes made while the camper is already at camp will incur the additional rush and shipping fees which is a total of $80 ( $40 rush + $40 shipping) in addition to the initial registration and regular copays.
● Please review the FAQs and fill out the form below.
Thank You in advance for your compliance with this program.
FAQS
How is my insurance billed? How am I billed for co-pays?
We will bill the insurance at the earliest date possible within their current medication cycle. Co-pays, deductibles, the cost of over-the-counter medications, all uncovered medications will be charged to your credit card.
How will I be charged?
Since we are a full functioning pharmacy you will be billed directly by J Drugs
What is the relationship between J Drugs and our Camps?
J Drugs is an independent pharmacy that has been chosen by Camp to provide medication services to its campers. We are a third party provider and are not associated with the camp.
How are the medications packaged?
Generally, camps utilize individual dose packaging. Each dose of medication is sealed in a medication strip package with a detailed label that includes your child's name, date of birth, medications enclosed, date and time to be administered, and any special instructions. The camp staff simply tears open the perforated packet and hands your child his/her medications. Please note that only medications in pill form can be included in the dose strip. Other medications, such as inhalers, creams, and liquids, are dispensed and labeled separately and shipped to camp with your child’s other medications.
Can J Drugs package over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as vitamins, Benadryl or Claritin?
Yes, we carry a full line of OTC products. If we don’t stock the particular brand your child takes, we can substitute it with one we do carry. When you register provide us with detailed information regarding over-the-counter medications, including dose and time of administration. Our pharmacy will package these items with any prescription medications dosed at the same time of day.
Will J Drugs dispense name brands or generics?
Unless the physician specifies “Do Not Substitute” or “Brand Only” our pharmacy will dispense the generic. Many insurance plans will only pay for a generic. IF YOU DO NOT WANT A GENERIC, we ask that you notify your physician in advance and please let us know as well. For OTC medications, our pharmacy will provide generics unless you specify otherwise. In the latter case our pharmacy will attempt to provide the brand of medication you request, but may have to substitute a generic if the name brand is not available.
What happens to extra medications if my child is at camp for less than 30 days?
Any unused medications will be sent home with your child on the last day of camp. You may use the extra medication at home or on vacation.
We have a ninety-day prescription plan/mandatory mail order. Can I still use J Drugs?
We can accommodate this situation with the proper planning. Please contact us immediately so that we can plan accordingly.
What time are medications dispensed at camp?
Medications are generally dispensed at meal times and at bedtime. Please make certain that your doctor indicates the time(s) each medication should be taken on the prescription so that the camp can accommodate special requests.
My child takes a different dose of the same medication every other day. Can it be packaged that way?
Yes. It is critical that your doctor provides a prescription written exactly how the medications should be given. Our pharmacists can only label a prescription according to the exact instructions of the Doctor and the camp will dispense the medication accordingly.
What it my child’s doctor writes a prescription for a new medication after your deadline for registering has passed?
We will work with you to handle late medication changes. You may be required to send additional medications to camp as a back-up please review the section that discusses fees