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Your workers’ compensation and auto-related pharmacy questions answered.
What role does adult vaccination play in workers’ compensation claims?
While often overlooked, adult immunization status can significantly influence recovery timelines, risk of complications and workplace absence—factors that directly affect claim outcomes and return-to-work planning. Staying current with recommended adult vaccinations represents an essential aspect of preventive health care with important implications for overall well-being and workplace health.
How serious is the threat of bird flu in North America?
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is an emerging public health and industry concern across North America. While the virus primarily affects birds, it can occasionally spread to humans—raising important questions around occupational exposure and public health safety.
Does Journavx offer a safer alternative to opioids for acute pain relief in workers’ compensation?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Journavx (suzetrigine), a novel non-opioid medication developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain in adults. This approval, announced on January 30, 2025, marks a significant milestone in pain management, introducing the first new class of oral medication for acute pain in over two decades.
What is the role of buprenorphine in pain management for workers’ compensation?
Buprenorphine, a Schedule III controlled substance approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is increasingly being considered for pain management in workers' compensation cases. This partial opioid agonist offers a unique profile that balances effective pain relief with a lower risk of abuse and dependence compared to full opioid agonists.
What are the management strategies for conditions like asthma and smoke inhalation injuries?
Asthma is a common chronic respiratory disease that leads to difficulty breathing due to the presence of inflammation and bronchoconstriction. It’s often triggered by allergens, irritants or infections and in some occupational settings, employees may develop asthma or experience exacerbations because of airborne irritants, such as smoke or certain chemical agents (e.g., ash, pesticides, mineral dust, sawdust, etc.).
What is tetanus and how can it be prevented?
Tetanus is a serious infectious disease that can result from workplace injuries. Caused by spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani, tetanus is often associated with rusty nails but these spores are found in many environments, including soil, dust and animal feces. All it takes for infection is a small cut, puncture wound, or scrape—common injuries in many workplaces.
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Basics of Workers' Compensation Pharmacy Benefit Management
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Article Archive
Explore our collection of past articles.
- Could Cosentyx serve as an effective treatment option for chronic autoimmune conditions within workers’ compensation?
- What potential role does ketamine play in pain management for workers' compensation cases?
- What should I know about skeletal muscle relaxants in the treatment of injuries?
- How does storing medications ensure their safety and effectiveness until the expiration date?
- Will GLP-1 weight loss drugs become more prevalent in workers’ compensation?
- What are controlled substances and their regulations?
- Who should receive urine drug testing and how often?
- What are the different types of drug recalls?
- What are the advantages and limitations of topical vs. systemic pain medications?
- How does a P&T committee influence a workers' compensation pharmacy program?
- How does genetic testing enhance risk assessment for opioid use disorder (OUD)?
- Beyond convenience, are there advantages in the use of fixed-dose combination drug products?
- What are the various kinds of steroid medications?
- What is the difference between opioid addiction and dependence?
- What are the different types of opioid overdose reversal agents, and how do they compare?
- Could Ozempic be a potential breakthrough in addiction treatment?
- What are biological and biosimilar drugs?
- What implications does tobacco use have on medical treatment and the process of healing in workers’ compensation?
- What's the difference between a drug allergy and a side effect?
- When do drugs become generic?
- How does aging affect drug performance?
- Why would someone be prescribed an opioid to treat opioid addiction?
- Are there cardiovascular considerations related to common medications used in workers' comp?
- How are Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs used when managing or prescribing opioid medications?
- How are seizure drugs used for pain management in workers' comp?
- Are there rules or recommendations for traveling with a controlled substance?
- Are there rules or recommendations for opioid disposal?
- Are there times when it’s better to dispense a brand drug instead of its generic equivalent?