Basics of Workers' Compensation Pharmacy Benefit Management [Video]
1 MIN READ
Workers' compensation pharmacy benefit management can be complex, especially when understanding key terms. In these videos, Dr. Mitch Freeman, Pharm.D., covers major concepts in workers' compensation PBM.
Specialty Medication Trends in 2018
1 MIN READ
Emerging trends in pharmaceutical design and drug manufacturing are shifting toward presenting the market with new ways to develop medications. Specialty medications continue to be a major area of pharmaceutical development, and have become widely discussed in workers’ comp due to their significant costs.
Compound Kit and Combo Pack Trends in 2018
1 MIN READ
As traditional compound utilization and cost continue to decline, high impact therapeutic categories are emerging to take their place.
Prescription and Private Label Topical Trends in 2018
1 MIN READ
Topicals represent 5.1% of total prescriptions and 14% of total drug cost, and are being prescribed as an alternative to some oral medications.
High Impact Drug Class Trends in 2018
1 MIN READ
Compared with opioids, other high impact drug classes like topicals, compound kits, combo packs, and specialty medications, represent proportionately low volume. However, they can be associated with exponentially significant costs. Recognizing the trends related to such cost drivers can help promote clinically-appropriate savings.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Trends in 2018
1 MIN READ
Opioid dependence and abuse are prevalent and continue to be a concern in our society and the workers’ compensation population. Medication-assisted treatment using methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone along with counseling and other support is one of the options for managing opioid use disorder. Analyzing the trends within our data related to these types of medications can provide valuable additional insight into the prevalence of evidence-based and guideline-supported approaches related to overall opioid strategy.
Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED) Trends in 2018
1 MIN READ
Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED) remains a valuable indicator of risk when it comes to opioids, and we continue to see downward trends through 2018 that align with best practice recommendations.