Chester B. Good, MD, MPH

Regardless of the number of manufacturers, generic drug prices presented double-digit average increases from 2012 to 2015.

Opioid use incidence and prevalence rates decreased with implementation of an opioid safety initiative, whereas nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug rates remained constant. Rates of adverse events were higher among opioid users.

From 2001 to 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration approved 9 single-enantiomer drugs with racemic precursors. None showed pre-approval evidence of improved efficacy over the racemic precursor.

After the FDA warning and removal of rosiglitazone from the VA National Formulary, glucose control may have declined among those discontinuing rosiglitazone without receiving replacement medication.

Substantial variation in prescription spending and use of brand-name drugs exists across the VA healthcare system, with no apparent relationship to quality of care.

A higher proportion of veterans who use VA pharmacy services are black, have no alternative insurance, have lower incomes, are disabled, and report poorer health.