Objective: In view of the widespread concerns against prescribing short-acting nifedipine in the treatment of hypertension, the Veterans Health Administration initiated efforts to decrease the common but unapproved use of that agent for treating high blood pressure. Methods: A multitiered approach was implemented, using a national pharmaceutical database to assess drug utilization, followed by educational or remedial intervention at each tier. The first tier of the study determined the total quantity of short-acting nifedipine dispensed, the second tier evaluated data on the prescriptions for the drug, and the third and fourth tiers evaluated patient-specific information to determine to whom and why the drug was prescribed. Results: The first intervention demonstrated a 34 percent decrease in the total quantity of short-acting nifedipine dispensed, compared with the previous year. An action or change was noted in 78 percent of prescriptions in the second intervention. In the third intervention, short-acting nifedipine was prescribed for hypertension in 46.5 percent of the remaining 559 patients, 96 percent of which resulted in an intervention. The final intervention (75 patients) resulted in one patient prescribed short-acting nifedipine for hypertension under special circumstances. Conclusion: A tiered approach, using a national pharmaceutical database, complemented by local education and intervention, assisted in reducing the use of short-acting nifedipine for hypertension.