The Basic Core Formulary (BCF) is a list of medications required to be on formulary at all full-service Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs). BCF medications are intended to meet the majority of the primary care needs of DoD beneficiaries.

The Extended Core Formulary (ECF) includes medications in therapeutic classes that are used to support more specialized scopes of practice than those on the BCF. MTFs may choose whether or not to include an ECF therapeutic class on formulary, based on the clinical needs of its patients. However, if an MTF chooses to have an ECF therapeutic class on formulary, it must have all ECF medications in that class on formulary.

Medications are selected for the BCF or ECF because they offer significant clinical or cost-effectiveness advantages to MTFs compared to other medications in a therapeutic class. MTFs should utilize BCF or ECF medications to the greatest extent consistent with the clinical needs of their patients.

The DoD Uniform Formulary and national pharmaceutical contracts also affect what medications MTFs are allowed to have on formulary. The following table outlines MTF formulary requirements:

The DoD P&T Committee is reviewing therapeutic classes for the UF on a class by class basis. For information on classes to be reviewed at upcoming meetings, please visit the DoD P&T Committee schedule page. The DoD P&T Committee makes recommendations regarding the formulary status of medications on the BCF, ECF, and UF to the Director, TRICARE Management Activity (TMA). The Director, TMA, makes final decisions after considering comments of the Beneficiary Advisory Panel (BAP).

References: HA policy 04-032, TRICARE Pharmacy Benefit Program Formulary Management, provides additional information about the BCF, ECF, and Uniform Formulary.

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Last updated 8/15/06