Conference on June 26 will discuss changes to pharmacy program.

WASHINGTON — In the first step in the stakeholder process recommended by lawmakers in a letter to the Department of Defense (DoD) in April, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), the National Community Pharmacists Association and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) have been invited to participate in a DoD-hosted meeting on June 26 to discuss changes to the TRICARE pharmacy program to improve patient access to care and reduce costs.

NACDS thanked Sen. Michael Rounds (R, S.D.) and Sen. Gary Peters (D, Mich.) for their leadership in sending a bipartisan letter, signed by 23 senators, to DoD’s Robert Wilkie, undersecretary for personnel and readiness. The letter expressed appreciation to DoD for agreeing to convene stakeholders from DoD, the pharmaceutical manufacturing community and the retail pharmacy community to explore ways for TRICARE patients to better access their needed medications from community pharmacies, regardless of whether their medications are brand or generic.