Baptist Health to build $40 million pharmacy headquarters in La Grange
The $40 million investment will create 200 new jobs.
LA GRANGE, Ky. — Community officials joined with Baptist Health leaders at Baptist Health La Grange Thursday morning to announce details of the system’s new Central Pharmacy Service Center.
A $40 million investment that will create 200 new jobs, Baptist Health’s Central Pharmacy will be housed in a 90,000-square-foot facility to be built on the Baptist Health La Grange campus. It will operate as a hub to streamline Baptist Health’s growing pharmacy services across the system’s nine hospitals located throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana — ultimately helping patients access more medications, and receive their medications quickly and efficiently.
Construction on the new facility is expected to begin in November. Completion is anticipated by December 2023, and plans call for the center to be operational by April 2024.
Patrick Falvey, Baptist Health Chief Operating Officer, said the project is part of Baptist Health’s previously announced expansion of services in Oldham County and the surrounding area.
“Baptist Health has been deeply invested in the wellbeing of this region for more than 30 years through the high quality care provided by Baptist Health La Grange and our Baptist Health Medical Group facilities,” Falvey said. “Our long-standing commitment is strengthened with the planned construction of our systemwide Central Pharmacy Service Center here in La Grange, in addition to bringing new providers, new services and new facilities to this community.”
La Grange Mayor John Black and Oldham County Judge-Executive David Voegele also spoke at Thursday’s announcement, discussing the economic impact the investment will have on the area. More than 200 new jobs, including pharmacists, pharmacy tech and non-clinical support positions, will be created when the facility opens.
“The development of new pharmacy services in La Grange is a very positive development for both Oldham County and all of Kentucky, as well,” said Judge-Executive Voegele. “We look forward to the level of professionalism these additional jobs will bring and take pride in the continued confidence in our community expressed by Baptist Health.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called the project “impressive” and said Kentucky residents will benefit in many ways from the new project.
“Improving access to high-quality health care has been a top goal of my administration from day one, and Baptist Health has been a great Team Kentucky partner in that effort,” Beshear said. “This latest investment in Oldham County is going to build a pharmacy headquarters, bringing expanded services to this entire region and creating great new jobs at the same time. Congratulations to Baptist Health La Grange on this impressive new project.”
Beyond the I-71 corridor, the Central Pharmacy allows Baptist Health to respond to the growing demand for Retail and Specialty Pharmacy services across the system’s service area throughout Kentucky and surrounding states. By shipping medications directly to patients, the Central Pharmacy can accommodate increased volume and provide access to an even broader array of specialty medications through an expanded pharmacy accreditation process.
Currently, each Baptist Health hospital offers a Retail Pharmacy, which fills prescriptions for patients as they’re being discharged, and those who have not had a hospital stay but like the convenience and expertise offered by the Baptist Health pharmacy team.
The system has also built a successful Specialty Pharmacy program, which incorporates a multidisciplinary approach to care for patients with complex medical problems. Specialty Pharmacy staff work with insurance companies, drug manufacturers and patient assistance programs to secure patient medications at an affordable price along with individualized medical counseling.