More Drugs Targeted for Tricare’s Third Tier

The Defense Department’s Uniform Formulary Beneficiary Advisory Panel (BAP) met in December to consider recommendations from DoD’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. The panel recommended the following drugs for Tricare’s Third Tier: the Alzheimer class drug Tacrine (Cognex); Nasal Corticosteroids Drugs, flunisolide (Nasarel), fluticasone propionate (Flonase) and mometasone furoate (Nasonex); Antidepressants (AD1) Drugs, fluoxetine (Sarafem), fluoxetine weekly (Prozac Weekly), escitalopram and paroxetine CR, duloxetine, and bupropion XL; Oral Macrolide/Ketolide class drugs, telithromycin and the Zmax formulation of azithromycin. The panel also recommended that a prior authorization be required for Mescasermin (increlex). All committee recommendations will go to the Director of Tricare Management Activity for final approval or modification. Third tier drugs cost $22 for a 30-day supply at retail network pharmacies or a 90-day supply via the Tricare Mail Order Pharmacies. BAP members represent beneficiary groups such as The Military Coalition.