Feds: Beckley VA subbed mental health drugs for cheaper ones

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — An investigation has found that the Beckley VA Medical Center improperly substituted prescription mental health treatments with older drugs to save money.

In a news release on Wednesday, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel said it informed the White House and Congress that the hospital put patients at risk and violated VA policy.

A whistleblower reported the issues, and the VA Office of Medical Inspector investigated.

"At a time when many veterans are grappling with mental health issues, this VA facility was cutting corners on needed drug therapy to save money in violation of VA policy," Special Counsel Carolyn Lerner said in the news release.

The Medical Inspector's report said the Beckley VA encouraged providers to switch drugs for patients using aripirazole or ziprasidone. There was a blanket restriction on the two drugs in an effort to save money in the 2013 budget year.

Doctors were able to appeal the pharmacy's decision to use cheaper, older drugs, but "they did not submit appeal requests because of what they felt was a foregone conclusion," the report states.

Medical providers followed the guidance about the two drugs, despite disagreeing about switching to older drugs with potential side effects that include weight gain and sedation, the report states.

The report recommended that the hospital stop the practice, and said a nonphysician shouldn't be heading the hospital's Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee.

The hospital agreed to review medical records and conditions of patients discontinued from the antipsychotic drugs.

The report recommends that hospital and pharmacy leadership face disciplinary action.

However, the whistleblower said related problems are still occurring, so the Office of Special Counsel requested another report due next month.

Beckley VA spokeswoman Debbie Voloski said the investigation has been reopened and the next visit will occur next week.

"The Beckley VA Medical Center appreciates the diligence shown by the (Office of Medical Inspector) through their investigation of our pharmacy based on whistleblower allegations, and will continue to work with the team as it continues to explore the situation," Voloski said.

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