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:
MTFs
MUST have on formulary
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MTFs
MAY have on formulary
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MTFs
MUST NOT have on formulary
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- All
BCF medications
- All
ECF medications if the therapeutic class is on the
MTF formulary
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- Medications
that are on the Uniform Formulary, but not on the BCF or
ECF
- Medications
in classes not yet reviewed by the DoD P&T Committee
for the Uniform Formulary, unless not allowed by a national
pharmaceutical contract
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- Medications
designated as non-formulary under the Uniform Formulary
- Medications
that are not allowed on MTF formularies due to a national
pharmaceutical contract. Contracts currently exist for:
statins, LHRH agonists, fluoroquinolones, and triptans.
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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.
PEC
Webmaster
Last
updated
8/15/06
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