Audit of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation's Use of Federal Discount Drug Programs

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This final report points out that the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) extended eligibility for federally discounted drugs to its nonIndian employees without making the required determination that reasonable alternative drug services were not available to these employees. Many alternative sources were available. As a result, in Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999 MPTN provided $5.8 million worth of discounted drugs to individuals not eligible to receive them. Also, MPTN did not follow Federal guidelines requiring entities to identify their 340B drug purchases, and its contract relationships with 16 other tribes do not met 340B guidelines. Recommendations call for actions the Indian Health Service and the Health Resources and Services Administration need to take to help improve MPTN's administration of its 340B drug purchase program.

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