Veterans Affairs banner with U.S. FlagVeterans Affairs banner with U.S. Flag

Pharmacy Benefits Management Services

Welcome!

Notice to Beneficiaries of the Veterans Health Administration: For questions pertaining to Health Care Benefits, please visit http://www.va.gov/Health_Benefits/.  Questions pertaining to your drug therapy or other medical questions should be referred directly to your Health Care Providers located at the VA facilities where you receive care.

For questions pertaining to prescription renewal, please visit MyHealtheVet at https://www.myhealth.va.gov/. MyHealtheVet provides access to trusted health information, links to Federal and VA benefits and resources, the Personal Health Journal, and now online VA prescription refill.

Mission: To improve the health status of veterans by encouraging the appropriate use of medications in a comprehensive medical care setting.


For RECENT MEDICATION SAFETY NEWS
from the VA Center for Medication Safety
click here


What is New at the PBM...
15 Sep 08 Hyaluronic acid-Hylan G-F 20 for Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Drug Class Review
15 Sep 08 Hyaluronic Acid-Hylan G-F 20, Criteria for Use
15 Sep 08 Varenicline Criteria for Prescribing, Criteria for Use
04 Aug 08 Fentanyl Transdermal Patch, Criteria for Use
31 Jul 08 Functional Assessment Staging (FAST), Drug Monitoring
31 Jul 08 Memantine, Criteria for Use
31 Jul 08 Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Criteria for Use
31 Jul 08 Zoster Vaccine, Criteria for Use
31 Jul 08 Fondaparinux, Criteria for Use
31 Jul 08 Fondaparinux (2nd Addendum), Drug Monograph
18 June 08 Varenicline Preliminary Prescribing Guidance, Treatment Guideline Added
18 June 08 Decitabine, Drug Monograph
15 Jul 08 Nebivolol, Drug Monograph
06 June 08 National Formulary, Updated
03 Jun 08 Ezetimibe or Ezetimibe+Simvastatin, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
2 Jun 08 Distance Learning Broadcast, Updated
02 May 08 Naltrexone Extended-release Injectable Suspension, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
02 May 08 Ibandronate, Drug Monograph
02 May 08 Antiviral Agents for Influenza, Criteria for Use
14 April 08 National Formulary, Updated
05 Apr 08 Etravirine, Drug Monograph
05 Apr 08 Etravirine, Criteria for Use
28 Mar 08 Sitagliptin, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
04 Mar 08 Pregabalin, Drug Monograph
04 Mar 08 Pregabalin, Criteria for Use
04 Mar 08 Consensus Interferon, Criteria for use in Hepatitis C, Criteria for Use
07 Feb 08 Arformoterol, Drug Monograph
07 Feb 08 Formoterol Nebulizer Solution, Drug Monograph
22 Jan 07 Aliskiren, Drug Monograph
22 Jan 07 Aliskiren , Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
17 Jan 07 Aripiprazole IM, Drug Monograph
17 Jan 07 Paliperidone, Drug Monograph
26 Dec 07 Zoster Vaccine FAQ for Patients, FAQ Sheet Added
20 Dec 07 National Formulary, Updated
04 Dec 07 Tiotropium, Criteria for Use 
04 Dec 07 Thiazolidinedione , Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
29 Nov 07 Zoster Vaccine, Criteria for Use (Check-Box Format)
29 Nov 07 Guidance for Treatment of Insomnia in Veterans in the Primary Care Setting, Drug Monograph
29 Nov 07 Micafungin (addendum), Drug Monograph
22 Nov 07 Azithromycin, Drug Monograph
22 Nov 07 CHARISMA Subgroup Response, FAQ Sheet
22 Nov 07 Clopidogrel, Criteria for Use
16 Nov 07 Clinically Uroselective Alpha Adrenergic Blockers, Criteria for Non-formulary Use
08 Nov 07 Omalizumab, Criteria for Non-formulary Use
02 Nov 07 Maraviroc, Drug Monograph
02 Nov 07 Maraviroc, Criteria for Use (Check-Box Format)
02 Nov 07 Long-Acting Insulin Analogs, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
02 Nov 07 Rifaximin, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use (Check-box format)
02 Nov 07 Rifaximin, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
31 Oct 07 Lovaza (formerly Omacor), Drug Monograph
31 Oct 07 Lovaza (formerly Omacor), Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
31 Oct 07 Fluvastatin, Pravastatin, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin Criteria, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
30 Oct 07 Pharmacy Benefits Management-Medical Advisory Panel Ez Minutes (July-October 07)
25 Oct 07 Retapamulin (Altabax), Drug Monograph Added
05 Oct 07 Dopamine Agonists, Drug Class Review Added
25 Sep 07 FDA: September 10, 2007 Drug Safety Information: Viracept (nelfinavir mesylate) and presence of ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), a process-related impurity, VA Center for Medication Safety - Drug Safety Features - Drug Safety Alerts Updated
18 Sep 07 Dasatinib, Drug Monograph Added
12 Sep 07 Ranolazine, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use Updated
01 Aug 07 Highly Teratogenic Retinoids and High-dose Vitamin A, Criteria for Use Updated
31 Jun 07 Ranolazine Monograph, Drug Monograph Added
17 July 07 Dihydropyridine (Long-Acting) Calcium Channel Blockers, Clinical Guidance
17 July 07 Felodipine / Felodipine Patient Letter, Therapeutic Interchange Guidance Updated
13 July 07 Medical Advisory Panel Ez Minutes (Jan 07 - Mar 07), Added
13 July 07 Buprenorphine, Criteria for Use Updated
20 Jun 07 Rasagiline, Drug Monograph Added
18 Jun 07 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI), Criteria for Use Added
18 Jun 07 Selegiline Transdermal System (EMSAM), Drug Monograph Added
04 Jun 07 Drug Monograph Adefovir Addendum, Drug Monograph Addendum Added
25 May 07 VA Do Not Substitute List, National Formulary Updated
21 May 07 Pregabalin, Drug Monograph Added
21 May 07 Pregabalin, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use Added
14 May 07 Lubiprostone, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use Added
07 May 07 Quadrivalent HPV Vaccine (Gardasil), Criteria for Use Added
07 May 07 Telbivudine, Drug Monograph Added
19 Apr 07 Erythropoietin Criteria for Use for Hepatitis C, Criteria for Use Added
19 Apr 07 Mycophenolate Sodium (Myfortic), Drug Monograph Added
10 Apr 07 Tegaserod Safety Bulletin, Added
10 Apr 07 Tegaserod Provider Letter, Added
10 Apr 07 Tegaserod Patient Letter, Added
03 Apr 07 Novoseven, Criteria for Use Added
03 Apr 07 Novoseven, Drug Monograph Added
03 Apr 07 Quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil), Drug Monograph Added
30 Mar 07 Recommendations for Atypical Antipsychotic Use in Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders, Treatment Guideline Added
26 Mar 07 Panitumumab, Drug Monograph Added
20 Mar 07 Medical Advisory Panel Ez Minutes (Jan 07 - Mar 07), Added
13 Mar 07 Safety Concerns of Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs)
09 Mar 07 Zoster Vaccine Interim DRAFT Guidance, Criteria for Use Added
08 Mar 07 Imiquimod, Criteria for Use Added
08 Mar 07 Sitagliptin, Criteria for Use Added
07 Mar 07 Ezetimibe, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use Updated
07 Mar 07 Nelarabine, Drug Monograph Added
02 Mar 07 Conivaptan, Drug Monograph Added
13 Feb 07 Darunavir, Criteria for Use Added
27 Feb 07 Darunavir, Drug Monograph Added
27 Feb 07 Quinine for Leg Cramps, Bulletin/News Alert Added
13 Feb 07 Clopidogrel, Criteria for Use Updated
06 Feb 07 Quinine for Leg Cramps Patient Letter, Therapeutic Interchange Guidance Added
22 Jan 07 Posaconazole, Drug Monograph Added
18 Jan 07 Update on Use of the MMSE
09 Jan 07 Vardenafil Non-Responders, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use Added
03 Jan 07 Ziconotide, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use Added
03 Jan 07 Ziconotide, Drug Monograph Added
28 Dec 06 Varenicline, Drug Monograph Added
28 Dec 06 Sunitinib, Drug Monograph Added
21 Dec 06 Moxifloxacin Ophthalmic Solution, Criteria for Use Added
21 Dec 06 Sitagliptin, Drug Monograph Added
07 Dec 06 Oxymorphone Oral Tablets, Criteria for Use Added
01 Dec 06 Zoster Vaccine, Drug Monograph Added
27 Nov 06 Ranibizumab, Drug Monograph Added
27 Nov 06 Entecavir, Drug Monograph Added
27 Nov 06 Inhaled Insulin, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use Added
21 Nov 06 Fluoroquinolone, Criteria for Use Updated
21 Nov 06 Clopidogrel, Criteria for Use Updated
02 Nov 06 Propoxyphene, Criteria for Use Added
02 Nov 06 Propoxyphene, Drug Class Review Updated
02 Nov 06 Pharmacy Benefits Management-Medical Advisory Panel Ez Minutes (Jul 06-Oct06), Added
31 Oct 06 Thickening Agents for Outpatients, Criteria for Use
31 Oct 06 Abatacept, Drug Monograph Added
31 Oct 06 National PBM Bulletin (Bevacizumab), Safety Report Added
30 Oct 06 Inhaled Insulin, Drug Monograph Added
30 Oct 06 Distance Learning Broadcast, Added
27 Oct 06 Lubiprostone, Drug Monograph Added
20 Oct 06 Consumer Price Index Revision, Updated
05 Oct 06 National Formulary, Updated
03 Oct 06 Fluvastatin, Pravastatin, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin Criteria
18 Sep 06 Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, And Tenofovir (Atripla), Drug Monograph Added
06 Sep 06 Tigecycline (Tygacil), Drug Monograph Added
05 Sep 06 Anidfulafungin (Eraxis), Drug Monograph Added
30 Aug 06 Nepafenac, Drug Monograph Added
15 Aug 06 Distance Learning Broadcast, Added
11 Aug 06 Mentor Certification Program, Added
09 Aug 06 Acamprosate, Criteria for Use Updated
04 Aug 06 MMSE Copyright FAQ, Added
31 July 06 Rituximab, Criteria for Use
13 July 06 Medical Advisory Panel Ez Minutes (Apr 06-Jun 06), Added
13 July 06 Insulin Detemir, Drug Monograph
12 July 06 Sorafenib, Drug Monograph
12 July 06 Lenalidomide, Drug Monograph
10 July 06 Bromfenac 0.09% Ophthalmic Solution, Drug Monograph
05 June 06 Tetanus-Diptheria-Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine, Drug Monograph
02 June 06 Highly Teratogenic Retinoids and High-dose Vitamin A,Criteria for Use
22 May 06 Isosorbide Dinitrate/Hydralazine Fixed-Dose Combination, Drug Monograph
27 Apr 06 Quinine Sulfate in the Management of Nocturnal Leg Cramps, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use
14 Apr 06 Medical Advisory Panel Ez Minutes (Jan 06-Mar 06), PBM-MAP Ez Minutes
11 Apr 06 Clopidogrel, Criteria for Use
07 Apr 06 Enfuvirtide, Criteria for Use
07 Apr 06 "Impact of Substance Abuse on the Course of Bipolar Disorder", Distance Learning Broadcast Added
24 Mar 06 GSCF Criteria for Use for Hepatitis C, Criteria for Use
24 Mar 06 Erythropoietin Criteria for Use for Hepatitis C, Criteria for Use
23 Mar 06 Buprenorphine, Criteria for Use, Updated
06 Mar 06 Fluoroquinolone, Criteria for Use
02 Mar 06 Topical Anesthesia for Surfaces of the Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Laryngotracheal Region and Airway, Criteria for Use
01 Mar 06 Omacor, Criteria for Non-Formulary Use

Michael A. Valentino, R. Ph., MHSA      Chief Consultant
Virginia Torrise, Pharm. D. Deputy Chief Consultant
Timothy J. Stroup, R. Ph. Deputy Chief Consultant - CMOP Planning and Program Development
Ken Siehr, R.Ph. MS Deputy Chief Consultant- CMOP Operations
Joseph J. Canzolino, R. Ph. Associate Chief Consultant
Vincent Calabrese, Pharm D. Assistant Chief Consultant


If you have a question pertaining to this website and only information contained in this website, please contact the PBM Webmaster. Please note: For questions pertaining to Health Care Benefits, please visit http://www.va.gov/Health_Benefits/. For questions pertaining to prescription renewal, please visit https://www.myhealth.va.gov/. Questions pertaining to your drug therapy or other medical questions should be referred directly to your Health Care Providers located at the VA facilities where you receive care.