VA will fill private prescriptions

VFW Magazine, Sept, 2003 by Tim Dyhouse

VA Secretary Anthony Principi announced in July that for the first time VA will fill prescriptions written by private physicians. Principi reversed VA's longstanding practice of requiring veterans to obtain prescriptions from VA doctors, which often meant scheduling appointments.

"There are too many veterans who have to wait more than 30 days for primary care" he said, adding that many "are turning to us because they can't get prescription drugs without spending a fortune or going to Canada."

An estimated 200,000 veterans are waiting more than 30 days to see a VA physician. VA expects to see 4.7 million patients this year, up more than 54% since 1996. Much of the backlog has been attributed to appointments for prescriptions. VA currently charges $7 for a 30-day supply of drugs. Principi said the new policy will cost $20 million to $30 million this year. The new policy applies to all veterans enrolled with VA as of July 25.