As a result of advocacy by NACDS and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), the House Armed Services Committee did not include the administration’s proposal to increase TRICARE pharmacy copays.
NACDS and NCPA have remained highly engaged in efforts to preserve pharmacy access and choice for TRICARE patients over the years…
NACDS and NCPA submitted a joint letter to the chairmen and ranking members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), before the markup of the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), urging them to protect TRICARE beneficiary access by refusing to further increase retail community pharmacist copayments.
NACDS and NCPA have remained highly engaged in efforts to preserve pharmacy access and choice for TRICARE patients over the years, advocating against increased copays, which place a great burden on TRICARE beneficiaries—especially retirees and families of active duty military—and also severely limit their ability to receive medications and services from their neighborhood pharmacies.
The House Armed Services Committee also included NACDS-backed language in the FY2017 NDAA establishing a TRICARE acquisition cost parity pilot program for retail pharmacy, which would allow retail pharmacies currently in the TRICARE pharmacy network to access Department of Defense pricing of pharmaceuticals. This would provide beneficiaries with the choice of how they get their medications. The FY2017 NDAA is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives in mid-May.
NACDS continues work with its stakeholders on these important issues affecting pharmacy as the Senate reviews the FY2017 NDAA and the bill is brought to conference.
