Manufacturers Failed to Make Some Drugs Available to Government Agencies at a Discount as Required

The Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 mandates that manufacturers discount drugs they sell to VA, the Department of Defense (DOD), the Public Health Service, and the Coast Guard. The OIG conducts individual audits of manufacturers that have self-disclosed potential noncompliance. This review, however, was conducted to proactively determine the number of covered drugs that manufacturers did not make available as required and the possible reasons. The OIG found manufacturers did not make 22.8 percent of drugs covered by the law available at a discount. This resulted in an estimated $28.1 million in overcharges to VA and the DOD. The OIG recommended better communicating to manufacturers about exemptions and familiarizing them with the law.