Office of the Secretary of Defense June 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.65, the Department of Defense gives notice that it is renewing the charter for the Uniform Formulary Beneficiary Advisory Panel (hereafter referred to as the Panel). The Panel is a non-discretionary federal advisory committee established by the Secretary of Defense to provide the Department of Defense, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and the Director, TRICARE Management Activity independent advice and recommendations on the development of the uniform formulary. The Panel, in accomplishing its mission: (a) Creates transparency in the policy decisions regarding the DoD Uniform Formulary; (b) provides public forum where beneficiaries may voice their opinions regarding formulary changes allowing panel members, who represent their interests, to advocate for change within their member organizations and beyond. The Panel shall be composed of not more than 15 members, who shall include members that represent (a) Non-Government organizations and associations that represent the views and interests of a large number of eligible covered beneficiaries; (b) contractors responsible for the TRICARE retail pharmacy program; (c) contractors responsible for the national mail-order pharmacy program; and (d) TRICARE network providers. Panel members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not federal officers or employees, shall be appointed as experts and consultants under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109 and with the exception of travel and per diem for official travel, shall serve without compensation, unless otherwise authorized by the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense shall renew the appointments of these Special Government Employees on an annual basis. The Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) or designed representative shall select the Panel's Chairperson from the total Panel membership. The Panel shall be authorized to establish subcommittees, as necessary and consistent with its mission, and these subcommittees or working groups shall operate under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976, and other appropriate federal regulations. Such subcommittees or workgroups shall not work independently of the chartered Panel, and shall report all their recommendations and advice to the Panel for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered Panel nor can they report directly to the Department of Defense or any federal officers or employees who are not Panel members.