Use of VA Prescription Drug Mail-Order Service Could Reduce DOD Costs

The Department of Defense could save millions of dollars through the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs' prescription drug mail-order service, according to a new Government Accountability Office report, CQ HealthBeat reports. In a pilot project, DOD refilled some prescriptions at three military treatment facilities through the VA mail-order service rather than the pharmacies at the facilities. According to the report, prices obtained through the VA mail-order service in most cases were lower for 90 medications, and DOD could save about $1.39 per prescription through the service. DOD would have saved $1.5 million in fiscal year 2003 if the department had filled all prescriptions at the three military treatment facilities through the VA mail-order service, the report found. In addition, the report found that the use of the VA mail-order service at the three military treatment facilities led to "less traffic, shorter pharmacy waiting times for beneficiaries who continued to get some prescriptions at the facility and satisfaction with the mail-order service," CQ HealthBeat reports. Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-Fla.), chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, requested the report. VA agreed with the results of the report, but DOD declined to comment (CQ HealthBeat, 7/22).

The report is available online. Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the report.