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ARMED FORCES NEWS |
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A two-year test authorized by the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act will allow Tricare beneficiaries to substitute an over-the-counter version of certain prescription drugs without a co-payment. The test initially applies only to the Tricare Mail-Order Pharmacy, but plans call for expansion to retail network pharmacies once program details are ironed out. The drugs in the test are those treating gastro-intestinal disorders, said a Tricare official. Known as "proton pump inhibitors," they include the prescription drugs Nexium, Prevacid, Aciphex, Protonix, Zegerid and Prilosec. Once the test procedures reach retail pharmacies, beneficiaries with a prescription will be eligible to receive Prilosec over the counter (OTC). Beneficiaries already taking the selected prescription proton pump inhibitors through the mail-order pharmacy will get a letter explaining the new program when they order medications that qualify them to participate in the OTC test. For more information visit http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=297. |
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