LA GRANGE, Ky. — Leaders with Baptist Health and Baptist Health La Grange on Thursday announced details of the system’s new Central Pharmacy Service Center planned for the Kindness Capitol of Kentucky.

The $40 million investment will create 200 new jobs, according to a news release. Baptist Health’s 90,000-square-foot Central Pharmacy facility will be built on the La Grange campus.

Officials said 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 aimed at 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, officials said. 

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.”

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.”

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.