Rocky
21-11-06, 20:01
VA WATCHDOG EXCLUSIVE!
VA DEVELOPING POLICY ALLOWING PRESCRIPTIONS TO BE FILLED AT
NON-VA PHARMACIES -- This would allow veterans to use Wal-Mart's
$4.00 plan for their non-service-connected prescriptions. Savings
to veterans and VA would be considerable.
http://www.vawatchdog.org/pix/valogolg_small.jpg http://www.vawatchdog.org/pix/walmart-2.jpg
The VA is developing a policy that would allow VA doctors to write prescriptions that could be filled at non-VA pharmacies.
Currently, veterans pay $8.00 for a 30-day supply of non-service-connected medication at a VA pharmacy.
Wal-Mart has announced a $4.00 prescription plan. In many states, Wal-Mart will fill a prescription for generic drugs for just $4.00 for a 30-day supply. A number of other retailers have followed Wal-Mart's lead and announced similar plans. Target will institute a $4.00 plan in many states.
Some retailers, trying to fight Wal-Mart's "Big Box" retailing strategy, have even offered a limited number of generic medications for free.
When approved, the new VA policy could save veterans and the VA a considerable amount of money.
It appears that the new Wal-Mart plan had a bearing on the VA's decision to provide prescriptions to veterans that could be filled outside the VA system, although there has been no official comment on this.
The VA is currently finalizing this new policy. No date has been set for this policy to take effect.
I asked the VA to comment on this.Below is the official VA statement on the policy.
---------------
VA is finalizing guidance on this issue.
It is likely that VA will issue guidance which will permit VA physicians to write prescriptions to be filled in non-VA pharmacies, providing they meet all State prescribing requirements.
Laurie Tranter
Public Affairs
Department of Veterans' Affairs sal;
VA DEVELOPING POLICY ALLOWING PRESCRIPTIONS TO BE FILLED AT
NON-VA PHARMACIES -- This would allow veterans to use Wal-Mart's
$4.00 plan for their non-service-connected prescriptions. Savings
to veterans and VA would be considerable.
http://www.vawatchdog.org/pix/valogolg_small.jpg http://www.vawatchdog.org/pix/walmart-2.jpg
The VA is developing a policy that would allow VA doctors to write prescriptions that could be filled at non-VA pharmacies.
Currently, veterans pay $8.00 for a 30-day supply of non-service-connected medication at a VA pharmacy.
Wal-Mart has announced a $4.00 prescription plan. In many states, Wal-Mart will fill a prescription for generic drugs for just $4.00 for a 30-day supply. A number of other retailers have followed Wal-Mart's lead and announced similar plans. Target will institute a $4.00 plan in many states.
Some retailers, trying to fight Wal-Mart's "Big Box" retailing strategy, have even offered a limited number of generic medications for free.
When approved, the new VA policy could save veterans and the VA a considerable amount of money.
It appears that the new Wal-Mart plan had a bearing on the VA's decision to provide prescriptions to veterans that could be filled outside the VA system, although there has been no official comment on this.
The VA is currently finalizing this new policy. No date has been set for this policy to take effect.
I asked the VA to comment on this.Below is the official VA statement on the policy.
---------------
VA is finalizing guidance on this issue.
It is likely that VA will issue guidance which will permit VA physicians to write prescriptions to be filled in non-VA pharmacies, providing they meet all State prescribing requirements.
Laurie Tranter
Public Affairs
Department of Veterans' Affairs sal;