The Defense Department encourages Tricare beneficiaries to use the Tricare mail order pharmacy system because it costs DoD about 40 percent less than Tricare retail pharmacies, and it saves patients about 66 percent. The move angers retail pharmacists, however, because they lose income when a Tricare patient switches to mail order. In addition, some drugs with a short shelf life might decay in the mail system, while others may not be kept at the proper temperature en route, according to industry spokespersons. Moreover, some Tricare beneficiaries resent the loss of personal contact with their local pharmacist. The House version of the fiscal 2007 defense authorization bill would raise co-payments at retail pharmacies but eliminate co-pays for mail orders, while the Senate version would freeze copays at the current rate and require all maintenance drugs to be purchased by mail order. A vote is expected in September.