This is the eleventh (!) year I’ve been involved in surveying workers’ comp payers to get their take on pharmacy management. Now that Yvonne Guibert (thank you Yvonne) has finished collecting the data, I’m working on the report. It’s going to take a week or so, but I’ve pulled a couple highlights to whet your appetite.
- Overall, drug spend declined for most of the 25 respondents, with some seeing percentage decreases in the double-digits.
- In addition, total spending (across all respondents) declined as well – by about the same margin.
- Top problem? close between opioids and physician dispensing, same as last year.
- Biggest emerging problem? Compounds, without a doubt.
- 21 of 25 respondents said prescription drug costs were more or much more important than other medical cost issues at their organization.
- 88% of the 25 respondents (large, mid-sized, and small WC TPAs, state funds, and carriers) have a urine drug monitoring program in place today or will by the end of the year.
Much more to come – the data geek in me is getting all fired up about what we’re going to learn.
Thanks to the 25 organizations who spent time collecting their data, then sharing it with Yvonne. This is not an easy task, but one that really helps all of us understand what is going on with pharmacy programs, utilization, solutions and cost drivers and how payers are addressing the issue.
Stay tuned…
Hi Joe,
Can you go into more detail about why compounds are the biggest emerging problem? I know that they are expensive, but is the cost the only reason why they’re a problem? My understanding is that using a compound instead of an opioid, can reduce the “addiction” or dependence on the opioid. Addiction and dependence on drugs have become a huge hurdle to deal with, so I’ve found that compounds have become an effective alternative. Even there there is a higher up front cost, the long term savings can be more than substantial!
Jennifer – thanks for the note. Liberty responded to the survey so a detailed copy will be provided to Liberty.
There is no evidence that compounds are substitutable for opioids; opioids should ONLY be used rarely for musculoskeletal issues; NSAIDs are the treatment of choice in most instances.
re compounds, there is NO evidence of their efficacy and little control over production, so there’s a major patient safety concern as well.
Dispense more NSAIDs reduce compounds!
Compounds are in the news.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/15/business/pharmacies-turn-drugs-into-profits-pitting-insurers-vs-compounders.html?_r=0
I will say that I had a dermatologist prescribe me a compounded lotion, it had some sulfur in it, and worked on a hard to get rid of rash. So they’re not all snake oil.