Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Summary Report: Evaluation of Medication Management in Veterans Health Administration Facilities, Fiscal Year 2021

This Office of Inspector General (OIG) Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program (CHIP) report highlights the results of a focused evaluation of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities’ medication management related to remdesivir use. The report describes medication management-related findings from healthcare inspections performed at 34 VHA medical facilities during fiscal year 2021. Each inspection involved interviews with key staff and reviews of clinical and administrative processes. The OIG found that VHA met many elements of expected performance, including the availability of staff to receive remdesivir shipments. However, the OIG found that VHA did not consistently provide patient/caregiver education for remdesivir or report adverse events to the Food and Drug Administration in accordance with Emergency Use Authorization requirements. Given the FDA’s approval of remdesivir for use in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, the OIG made no recommendations related to the Emergency Use Authorization requirements. However, because VHA facility staff continue to administer other medications under emergency use authorizations, the OIG issued one recommendation related to informing patients and caregivers when the medication is not FDA-approved; the option to refuse the medication; and the known risks, benefits, and alternatives prior to administration.