TRICARE Extends OTC Medication Demonstration Project

TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) has announced that TRICARE’s over-the-counter medication demonstration project has been extended. The program allows TRICARE beneficiaries to substitute over-the-counter (OTC) versions of certain prescription drugs.   The OTC program, which was scheduled to end Nov. 4, 2009 as TRICARE’s new pharmacy contract starts, will continue. However, due to system changes being implemented as part of the new TRICARE Pharmacy program, participants in the OTC demonstration must pay $3 co-pay while the demonstration program is under review. The program previously did not require any copayment.

Examples of OTC medications available through the program include the allergy medications (cetirizine and loratadine), and heartburn medications (proton-pump inhibitors) Prilosec OTC and its generic form (omeprazole).

As before, beneficiaries cannot just walk into a pharmacy and get OTC medications. To use the program a prescription from their health care provider is required for the respective OTC drug.   Click here for more information about the TRICARE Pharmacy Program.