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NEWS | April 14, 2015

TRICARE Revises Compound Drug Coverage

By Lt. Col. Glenn L. Laird Pharmacy Flight Commander

Starting May 1, 2015, Express Scripts, the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, will screen all ingredients in compound drug claims to ensure they are safe and effective, and covered by TRICARE. This screening process is similar to the current TRICARE process for other prescription drugs, but it now applies to the ingredients in compound drugs as well.

Compound drugs are a combination of drug ingredients prepared by a pharmacist for a patient's individual needs. TRICARE beneficiaries taking a compound drug will soon receive a letter explaining the new process for screening compound drugs, and what steps they should follow.

The Defense Health Agency's highest priority is to provide our beneficiaries safe and effective care while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. Many compound drugs will still be covered because they include ingredients proven to be safe, and most beneficiaries will experience no delay in getting their prescriptions.

For more information about TRICARE coverage of compound drugs, visit www.tricare.mil/CompoundDrugs.