A flyer sent out for the medications Student Services Health Pharmacy
Evelyn Rodriguez, Staff Reporter
As LA County continues to gross high numbers in COVID-19 cases, 2.73 million as of Feb. 6th. Starting this week with 6,943 new registered cases, people are turning to popular over-the-counter prescriptions like Tylenol, Advil, cough medicine, and nasal spray in order to alleviate some of the symptoms that the virus brings.
With the world in an uproar, panic bulk buying became a thing again, which we haven’t seen since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Store shelves were clear of water, gatorade, teas, most foods and most important medicine.
In order to relieve some stress for students when looking for medicines to help with a simple cold or COVID-19 symptoms, The Student Health Center Pharmacy (SHCP) is offering various medications that students and staff can purchase on campus. The medications being offered are Advil, Afrin, Aleve, Robitussin DM, Throat Lozenges, Neti-Pot, Ocean, Sudafed, Tylenol cold & flu, and Tylenol extra strength. These medications vary from pain relief, nasal sprays, nasal rinses, decongestants, cold/flu relievers, fever reducers and to ease a sore throat.
“ I think it’s a great thing that students can buy meds on campus, it makes it easier since I don’t have to go out and buy them, ” said Breanna Gomez “If I need any, I know where to go.”
The medications vary in prices starting from $1 to $5 with the only form of payment being cash. You have to call SHCP’s main number which is (310) 243- 3629, the nurse will ask a series of health-related questions and take your temperature before being directed to the pharmacy. Then people on campus can purchase these items at the SHCP.
Natalie Ashe, the Charge Nurse from the SHC addressed how students who have been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive can also purchase items. Students living in campus housing are advised to remain off-campus if they tested positive for COVID.
“Students living in housing who need medicine should email our health educator JoAnn, ” said Ashe. “They should indicate what medications are needed and JoAnn will deliver them to the student.”
Orders that are placed prior to 2 p.m. will be delivered that same day. Orders after 2 p.m. will be delivered the next day. Students will not be asked to pay for the items before delivery but an invoice will be packaged with the order. Once cleared to return to campus they will need to make the payment at the SHCP.
Whether you are living in campus housing or simply on campus for the day and encounter a headache, the SHCP is here to help.
SHC’s Pharmacy is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
