Facilities outside VA give Veterans more prescriptions
VA Research News Briefs

Photo: ©iStock/Feverpitched
(07/09/2025)
VA Pittsburgh researchers found the number of prescriptions from non-VA, urgent care facilities to Veterans increased dramatically between 2019 and 2023, raising concerns about safety and compliance. The study used the newly available Community Care Reimbursement System to analyze non-VA, urgent care prescriptions for nearly 84,000 Veterans from July 2019 to March 2023. Overall, 9% of their prescriptions were potentially non-compliant with prescribing recommendations. Of the 270,000 prescriptions filled, 43% were antimicrobials and 16% were hormones or steroids, raising concerns about safety and potential adverse reactions between drugs. The findings highlight the need for improved support and coordination to monitor and enhance Veterans’ medication safety when receiving community care. (Healthcare, Jun. 24, 2025)