top of page
Search

VA Community Care Rx Access - The Urgent / Emergent Formulary


Bottom Line:

The VA's short-term community pharmacy Rx access isn't as open-ended as many assume. The Urgent/Emergent formulary contains medications veterans have rapid access to during unforeseen medical situations. All other drug access requires VA approval.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates under a comprehensive drug formulary system. In addition to its standard formulary, the VHA also maintains an Urgent/Emergent drug formulary specifically designed to address immediate healthcare needs for veterans. This specialized formulary allows for expedited access to medications at community-based pharmacies participating in the VA's Community Care Network.


Situations in which a veteran may need to access products on the Urgent/Emergent formulary include:

  • Unforeseen medical events – Sudden illnesses or unexpected injuries

  • Urgent need – Immediate treatment is required to prevent complications or deterioration in a person’s health

  • Limited availability – The specific medication is not available at the patient’s VA Medical Center (VAMC)


The VA maintains a pre-approval process for physician administered and community prescribed drugs. For products listed on the Urgent/Emergent formulary, medications are generally limited to a 14-day or less supply with no refills and, for some items, other restrictions or approvals from the VA may apply. Some of the categories and examples of drugs typically found on the formulary include:


Analgesics (Pain Relief):

  • Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol)

  • Ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin)

  • Naproxen (e.g., Aleve)

  • Tramadol

  • Opioid analgesics (e.g., codeine, hydrocodone, morphine) - typically for short-term use

Antibiotics:

  • Various antibiotics to treat bacterial infections (e.g., amoxicillin, cephalexin, ciprofloxacin)

Antihistamines:

  • Diphenhydramine (e.g., Benadryl)

  • Cetirizine (e.g., Zyrtec)

  • Loratadine (e.g., Claritin)

Respiratory Medications:

  • Albuterol (for asthma and COPD)

  • Prednisone (oral steroid for acute exacerbations)

Other Medications:

  • Epinephrine (for severe allergic reactions)

  • Insulin (for acute management of diabetes)


After a prescription is written by the healthcare provider, either one based in the VA health care system or one based in a community setting and authorized to treat VA veterans, the pharmacist will verify the medication is included on the Urgent/Emergent formulary either by confirming the product’s status through a review of the VA's online formulary database or by contacting the VA directly. Once the prescription is filled at a participating community pharmacy, that pharmacy will then submit a claim to the VA for reimbursement. This process ensures that veterans have timely access to essential medications during an urgent or an emergent situation while maintaining a degree of oversight and cost-control within the VA healthcare system.


While the VA Urgent/Emergent formulary is limited to veterans only, it is an important component of the VHA's commitment to providing timely and accessible healthcare to veterans. The benefit of an avenue to immediately and conveniently access an essential medication is important to ensuring the best health care possible to our veterans.

bottom of page