Pharmacy Solutions Drug Trends Analysis
The State of Pharmacy Trends in Workers' Comp
Enlyte provides a complete view of continued trends in pharmacy management, by analyzing drug utilization and spending trends in workers’ compensation on an annual basis. Our 2024 series reflects the trends our clients experienced in 2023 and provides an overall picture of both in- and out-of-network prescriptions in our four-part series coming throughout the year.
Part 1: Evaluating Retail and Mail Order Prescriptions
Retail and mail order workers’ compensation prescription cost and utilization have seen fluctuations over the past few years due in part to an evolving work environment and new drugs coming to market. In 2023 we saw an overall per claim decrease as well as continued declines in opioid prescribing. Despite these promising reductions certain classes continue to see double-digit cost increases as the industry grapples to address new prescribing trends.
Overall Prescription Trends Decreased for Cost per Claim in 2023
Top 3 Retail and Mail Order Trends
Join Tom Kerr as he interviews Nikki Wilson, Senior Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services to dig into part one of our annual drug trends series. In this short video they’ll discuss standout trends from our most recent retail and mail order data focusing on decreasing opioid trends and significant jumps in migraine and respiratory medications.
Part 2: Evaluating In- and Out-of-Network Trends
This analysis features the trends experienced within our combined in- and out-of-network channels to address the total view of prescription activity. While overall prescription utilization is trending downward, cost of scripts is on the rise. In particular, costs are driven by the influx of high-dollar topical agents that come almost-exclusively from out-of-network physician dispensing channels, as well as contributions from increased utilization and associated spend within the migraine medication category, along with rising trends in average wholesale price (AWP) for certain drug products, especially brand medications.
Key Trend Changes for All Classes
Out-of-Network Dispensing Channels and Their Unique Challenges
Join Tom Kerr as he interviews Nikki Wilson, Senior Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services to dive deeper into part two of our annual drug trends series. In this short video they will discuss aggregate trends and challenges within our combined in- and out-of-network channels to address the total view of prescription activity.
Part 3: Evaluating Opioids
Opioids continue to represent a decreasing proportion of overall scripts and costs, with favorable trends seen in important markers such as morphine equivalent dose (MED), duration of use, and access to guideline-supported measures including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and overdose rescue medication (naloxone).
2023 Aggregate Opioid Trends
New Trends in Opioids and Pain Management
In our continued in-depth coverage, we’re highlighting the opioid therapeutic class. In 2023 we continued to see declining trends overall in opioid utilization and spend along with continued reductions in Morphine Equivalent Dosing (MED). In our latest podcast we are discussing the medications behind the numbers driving this activity, and why the opioid category is still considered a high impact drug.
Part 4: High Impact Drug Classes
Categories such as topicals, compound kits, combo packs, and specialty medications represent proportionately low utilization, however, they can be associated with exponentially significant costs. Recognizing the trends related to such cost drivers can help promote clinically appropriate savings.
2023 Overall Topical Trends
Gauging the Impact of High-Impact Drugs in Workers’ Comp
For the second year in a row the topical drug class has taken the #1 spot in workers’ comp pharmacy spend, displacing opioids once again. In this Enlyte exclusive podcast, we’re taking a deeper dive into the high impact drug class category as a key driver of pharmacy spend. Cameron Hannum, PharmD will define this category of drugs and discuss strategies to address the challenges these cost drivers are creating.
The State of Pharmacy Trends in Workers' Comp
Payers continue to face numerous challenges when managing pharmacy care in workers’ compensation. While opioids continue to represent a decreasing portion of overall prescriptions and costs, other medications have seen fluctuations with certain classes seeing double-digit cost increases. Opioids, emerging drug classes, varied dispensing channels, and high-impact pharmaceuticals all require new levels of analysis and understanding. If you missed our live webinar, you can still hear our experts share more insights on the latest workers' comp drug trends on-demand.
Be Sure to Bookmark This Page and Check Back for More of Our Drug Trends Series Throughout the Year
Miss Out on Last Year's Report?
Enlyte experts analyze drug utilization and spending trends in workers’ comp every year to provide the best insights into pharmacy management. Our previous series reflects on the trends our clients experienced in 2022 and 2023 and includes an overview of both in- and out-of-network prescriptions as well as additional insights including podcasts, videos, and our on-demand webinar.
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