Veterans Journal: Safety surveillance strengthened for veterans’ medications

May 19--The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) formalized an agreement on March 21 that greatly improves drug safety monitoring of prescriptions, including opioids, and gives VA the ability to monitor medical prescriptions issued outside the VA through Medicare Part D.

"VA is committed to patient safety, and our robust medication surveillance systems are part of that commitment," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "This agreement greatly enhances medication safety for veterans by providing better oversight of drugs that veterans may be able to obtain from both agencies."

VA currently has a medication surveillance system to ensure safe use by veteran patients and the ability to analyze patient outcomes. This new agreement will enable VA to incorporate up-to-date Medicare prescription information into its safety surveillance operations. By incorporating prescriptions dispensed through Medicare, VA providers have access to more accurate information about the medications used by its patients.

More than 5 million veterans receive prescription medications through VA. With the creation of the Medicare Part D benefit, veterans enrolled in VA and Medicare have access to prescription benefits through both VA and Medicare, creating the potential for adverse drug interactions, duplication of use and greater risk of adverse drug events, including overdoses.

"This agreement represents a new level of information sharing between VA and CMS, which will improve care coordination and better protect our beneficiaries," said CMS principal deputy administrator for operations and policy Kimberly Brandt. "Leveraging data is a key element of CMS' efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, and we look forward to continued collaboration with VA on this important issue."

To learn more about the risks of opioid-related adverse events and overdose among veteran patients receiving dual prescriptions with VA and CMS, visit https://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2728200/dual-receipt-prescription-opioids-from-department-veterans-affairs-medicare-part.

Campaign encourages

mental-health talk

In recognition of Mental Health Month in May, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is launching "The Moment When" campaign, a nationwide effort which started May 1 that will feature veterans' personal experiences with mental-health treatment and recovery.

The campaign aims to demystify mental-health treatment, build awareness of available mental-health resources and encourage family members and friends to start the conversation with a veteran going through a hard time. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said that this month should be the moment you start the conversation with a loved one or reach out for support if you need it.

"The Moment When" campaign will highlight many moments in the broader mental-health recovery process from the moment when a veteran reached out for support to the moment when he or she realized treatment was working.

Throughout May and beyond, VA encourages veterans and their families to visit www.MaketheConnection.net/MHM to explore stories of recovery and find local resources.

Veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a veteran in crisis, can call (800) 273-8255 and press 1 for confidential support 24/7. You can also send a text message to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

NFL donates to

WWI Memorial

The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission announced last week that the National Football League has contributed $1 million to the construction of the first-ever National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission, which was enacted by Congress in 2013, has spent the last five years working toward the goal of building an eternal tribute to veterans who served overseas over 100 years ago. The Memorial's goal of $40 million has been backed primarily by private fundraising efforts and is anticipated to be completed by Veterans Day, 2021.

The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission provides public outreach, education programs, and commemorative events recognizing America's 4.7 million World War I veterans. In 2014, Congress also authorized the commission to create the new National World War I Memorial to honor those veterans, in the nation's Capital.

Events of interest

to area veterans

-- May 23, Thursday, 11 a.m. -- annual wreath laying ceremony at the Garden of Heroes, Rhode Island State House South Lawn, 82 Smith St., Providence.

-- May 24, Friday, 6:30 p.m., Gold Star Gala for Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial event; for tickets or more information, visit www.osdri.org or facebook.com/StanddownRI.

-- May 24-27, Friday to Monday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily -- Boots on the Ground for Heroes Memorial, Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport. The 88th Army Band, R.I. Army National Guard, will present a patriotic concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 26. This memorial honors U.S. service members killed post-9/11 in the Global War on Terror. For more information, visit online at www.OSDRI.org.

Meetings

-- Disabled American Veterans Josiah Broadfoot Chapter 6, 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, VFW Post, 113 Beach St., Westerly.

-- Veterans of Foreign Wars Gatchell Post 306, 6 p.m. Monday, May 20, 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket.

-- American Legion William Shields Jr. Post 43, 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 20, 662 West Shore Rd., Warwick.

Send veterans' meeting and news items to George W. Reilly at VeteransColumn@gmail.com

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