Just one mobile healthcare facility can make a stark difference for communities, and Walmart Pharmacy has shown this through their disaster response. In 2018, Walmart purchased a custom mobile pharmacy from Mobile Healthcare Facilities for use in disaster relief situations. The Walmart mobile pharmacy facility, nicknamed “Big Blue”, has been utilized in over nine locations in the United States.
The facility fully functions like a typical pharmacy and only takes roughly 30 minutes to set up on site. It can fill 300 prescriptions in a single day.
“The sides of the trailer expand, and there is enough space for two pharmacists and a couple of techs to work. It also has a waiting room, interview room and restrooms,” Reporter Kim Souza stated in a 2023 article.
The widely successful mobile unit has left a positive impression on the many communities it has served, helping customers through disasters when Walmart’s regular pharmacy was damaged and unable to operate.
According to pharmacist David Bernard, Big Blue is a life-saver for communities hit by disaster, because they may go without electricity and their medicine may be scattered and unusable.
Rural areas may experience a greater struggle to access healthcare, and especially in times of crisis like this, it is critically important that people receive the medication and care they need. Dr. Soujanya Pulluru, Walmart’s vice president of clinical operations and virtual health services, said she “came to Walmart because of the scope and reach Walmart has in rural America to improve access and affordability of healthcare.” By providing resources like this mobile pharmacy unit, Walmart has established itself as an important element to disaster relief across the United States, including in more rural areas.
“With 90% of the US population located within 10 miles of a Walmart, and 4,000 of our stores located in medically underserved areas as designated by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), Walmart is in a unique position to provide health and wellness services to all Americans, particularly those in rural and underserved communities,” Dr. Cheryl Pegus, the Executive Vice President of Walmart Health and Wellness, stated in a 2022 Walmart article. Walmart can provide necessary pharmacy care in a variety of situations and support communities across the country when disaster strikes.
There are a few key examples of Big Blue’s impact, including its support after Hurricane Florence, Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Ian, an arson event in Georgia, Hurricane Helene, and more. This timeline shows Walmart’s consistent success using the mobile pharmacy and the widespread appreciation for it from staff and customers alike.
Hurricane Florence 2018
In September 2018, Walmart sent its mobile pharmacy to Burgaw, North Carolina. Severe flooding had impacted a large area east of Burgaw due to Hurricane Florence on September 19th. By September 20th, Big Blue was open in the Walmart parking lot to help citizens access any pharmacy needs during the disaster recovery. With the ability to fill up to 3,000 prescriptions in a week, the unit was a great support for those affected by Hurricane Florence.
Hurricane Ida 2021
In late August of 2021, Hurricane Ida hit the Louisiana coast. “President Biden declared a major disaster for the State of Louisiana,” The Legal Aid Disaster Resource Center stated.
Despite Hurricane Ida’s damage and the subsequent store closures in the area, Walmart was able to continue serving the community using Big Blue, helping with pharmacy customers’ needs.
“The Walmart Mobile Pharmacy, known affectionately as Big Blue, was on site at Store 502 in Galliano, Louisiana, ensuring that people had access to basic medications and other related essentials,” Walmart corporate stated in a 2021 article.
Many buildings and homes were destroyed by Ida, limiting access to many citizens’ basic needs. However, Big Blue was delivered to the community to assist and operated as a full-service pharmacy, supplying people with crucial pharmacy services.
“It wasn’t just emergency medications. We administered COVID vaccines, flu vaccines, tetanus shots, blood pressure medications, insulin, and we had refrigerated medications. We’ve got a full-size refrigerator on board,” Bernard, the pharmacist assigned to Big Blue, shared. “I could tell you 50 stories of how many people were just moved to tears in the pharmacy because they had been out of medicine, some of them for five days.”
The pharmacy filled 300 prescriptions per day, breaking records, according to Bernard. In total, the pharmacy was in Galliano for 12 days.
Big Blue also made for a more convenient transition during the hurricane recovery. The mobile pharmacy was set up just like the store it was replacing, according to Bernard.
Although Big Blue is not handicap accessible, Mobile Healthcare Facilities does offer ADA accessible ramps for our units. Walmart opted to provide curbside pickup as an alternative solution for those who needed it.
Big Blue also helped Walmart to gain new customers who were positively impacted by their experience in the mobile unit.
“Big Blue stayed open until everyone was served each day,” Bernard said. “We also served the needs of those in the community who were not Walmart customers then. There was one man in Galliano who needed insulin for his young son, and through the emergency protocol, I was able to get it for him. He is now a Walmart customer.”
The positive impact made by Big Blue was clear as it supported the Galliano community.
Hurricane Ian 2022
David Bernard had a lot of experience working with Big Blue and was also there to help during the recovery for Hurricane Ian in September 2022.
“David’s passion shines through when he talks about the patients he meets and helps. We bring out our best, when our patients are facing their worst, like when David helped get Big Blue up and running during Hurricane Ian in 2022,” Kevin Host, a Doctor of Pharmacy for Walmart, shared in a LinkedIn post in 2023.
Walmart’s mobile unit makes a difference not only during natural disasters, but during other unfortunate damages to Walmart pharmacies as well, coming in as a highly effective temporary replacement.
In August 2022, the Walmart in Peachtree City, Georgia experienced an arson event. A 14-year-old girl started a fire that caused significant damage to their building, forcing them to shut down. However, with the help of the mobile pharmacy, they were able to continue serving drug store customers in the parking lot.
Hurricane Helene 2024
After Hurricane Helene in late September 2024, the intense damage and flooding forced Walmart to temporarily close their Boone, North Carolina location. In early October, the store announced that the mobile pharmacy would be open in the parking lot.
“We understand how difficult this period is, and we’re committed to ensuring you have access to the medications you need. Visit us for your pharmacy needs. Stay safe and take care,” The Boone Walmart team shared on their Facebook page.
Brian Setzer, the Executive Vice President of Health and Wellness at Walmart back in 2024, spoke about his gratefulness for Big Blue in a LinkedIn post.
“For an area that has suffered unimaginable devastation due to Hurricane Helene, I am proud of our team for bringing this crucial resource to the community,” Setzer stated in the 2024 post. “Big Blue has the capability to dispense hundreds of prescription medications per day and is staffed with pharmacists ready to administer needed immunizations. Thank you to the pharmacy teams who didn’t hesitate to deploy and the support teams who coordinated Big Blue’s arrival and such an impactful response.”
Big Blue made a meaningful impact for Boone and the surrounding community. Once again, Walmart proved how big of a difference their facility is able to make in yet another emergency response situation.
Big Blue’s Impact
Through the unexpected and unpredictable circumstances, Walmart was able to serve communities across the United States lacking pharmacy access, bringing relief during the recoveries of various disasters. Their mission to provide emergency response and disaster relief through pharmacy care was made possible with the help of Mobile Healthcare Facilities. Here at MHCFAC, we strive to create the ideal custom healthcare facility for each of our clients, enabling them to make a difference in their healthcare practice. We are proud to have provided this quality product that has expanded Walmart’s reach and ability to bring pharmacy care wherever needed.
