Since 11-29-06
VA gives workers guidance on switching prescriptions
Since 11-29-06
From:
Waspscpo@aol.com [mailto:Waspscpo@aol.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 4:07 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: VA gives workers guidance on switching prescriptions
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2384611.php
VA gives workers guidance on switching prescriptions
By
Rick Maze
Staff writer
November 27, 2006
With
two major discount chains — Wal-Mart Stores Inc., and Target Corp. — filling
some generic drug prescriptions for $4, the Department of Veterans Affairs has
issued guidance to its staff about how to transfer a veteran’s prescriptions to
one of the civilian pharmacies.
Launched in
Tampa, Fla., by Wal-Mart, and now offered in 27 states with further expansion
still possible, the $4 price for generic drugs is half the $8 prescription
co-payment that the VA charges some veterans, which has prompted veterans to
considering changing the way they get their prescriptions filled.
In a Nov. 21 memo, William Feeley, the VA’s deputy undersecretary for health
operations and management, says the VA cannot transfer a prescription to a
private-sector pharmacy because it is illegal — whether by phone, fax or e-mail.
However, VA
doctors can write prescriptions for veterans to be filled by local pharmacies,
although Feeley’s memo cautions that medical staff must meet state requirements
for writing prescriptions.
He also said that when writing a new prescription, any prescription within the
VA system must be canceled “to prevent patients from receiving excessive
quantities” of drugs.“ Although it is not encouraged, practitioners are
permitted to telephone prescriptions to private pharmacies at VA patients’
request,” the memo says.It also reminds doctors and other medical personnel who
can write prescriptions that calls “may not be delegated to other clinical staff
and must be documented in the medical record.”
Prescription pads will have to be created in some cases because they are not
used at all VA facilities. The memo promises that the VA medical forms staff
will help develop local prescription blanks, and cautions that they need to be
kept under tight security to prevent misuse.VA officials had no immediate
comment on the memo. While applauding the fact that the VA is helping
veterans get their prescriptions filled at a lower cost, Michael O’Rourke,
assistant director for veterans’ health policy at Veterans of Foreign Wars, said
the price difference raises a lot of questions.
“What most veterans are asking is why the private sector can do this but the VA
has to charge twice as much,” O’Rourke said. “I am glad the VA is looking at how
to get veterans the lowest price. I just wish it were from within the
government.” Veterans being treated for service-connected
injuries and disabilities are not charged co-payments, but some disabled
veterans being treated for nonservice connected injuries and other veterans
enrolled in the VA system have to pay the $8 fee for a 30-day drug supply.
The Bush administration has tried to get the $8 fee increased to $15 but has
been blocked by Congress. Wal-Mart and Target have limited their lists of
discounted drugs, and not everything qualifies. Wal-Mart officials said generic
drugs for allergies, arthritis, cholesterol, diabetes, heart problems and
thyroid conditions are among those covered.The lists of currently covered drugs
can be found online for
Target and
Wal-Mart.
Related news from the Web
Latest headlines by topic:
•
Retail
•
Wal Mart Stores
-------------------------------------------------------------
Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)