WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill preserving access to community pharmacies for military families, according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores here. H.R. 4986, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 extends the current freeze on increases to retail pharmacy co-payments. It also includes language that would clarify that the Department of Defense may negotiate with drug manufacturers for federal pricing discounts for Tricare prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies, in the same manner as they do today for Tricare prescriptions filled at military bases or by mail order. Tricare is the Department of Defense's health care program for members of the uniformed services, their families and survivors. The Defense Authorization Act must now pass the Senate and be signed by President Bush for these provisions to be enacted.

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