As
we have previously reported, the North Carolina
Industrial Commission was tasked to investigate a prescription formulary for
North Carolina State workers. The
results of the investigation were published earlier this year. The Commission considered the potential
savings, benefits, and implementation procedures of a drug formulary, not just for State workers, but for the workers’ compensation system as a whole. Also requested specifically by the General Assembly, the Commission also investigated the use of
narcotic drugs and the growing health problem of opioid use.
we have previously reported, the North Carolina
Industrial Commission was tasked to investigate a prescription formulary for
North Carolina State workers. The
results of the investigation were published earlier this year. The Commission considered the potential
savings, benefits, and implementation procedures of a drug formulary, not just for State workers, but for the workers’ compensation system as a whole. Also requested specifically by the General Assembly, the Commission also investigated the use of
narcotic drugs and the growing health problem of opioid use.
The
results of the investigation included a general statement that given the
complexity of drug formulary implementation, the Commission recommended
additional time and resources be spent evaluating the costs and benefits
associated with a formulary. The Commission
recognized that, in the meantime, a generic mandate could have potential
savings. Specifically for this post, the
Commission stated that strong consideration should also be given as to how
opioids are treated in the North Carolina workers’ compensation system.
results of the investigation included a general statement that given the
complexity of drug formulary implementation, the Commission recommended
additional time and resources be spent evaluating the costs and benefits
associated with a formulary. The Commission
recognized that, in the meantime, a generic mandate could have potential
savings. Specifically for this post, the
Commission stated that strong consideration should also be given as to how
opioids are treated in the North Carolina workers’ compensation system.
A
new Wall Street Journal article published recently offers a new option in which
the Commission may have interest. The
article discusses that insurers, such as Liberty Mutual and Broadspire, are
using algorithms to suggest other treatment options after a certain number of opioid
refills.
new Wall Street Journal article published recently offers a new option in which
the Commission may have interest. The
article discusses that insurers, such as Liberty Mutual and Broadspire, are
using algorithms to suggest other treatment options after a certain number of opioid
refills.
Given
that the North Carolina Industrial Commission has utilized new technology to
help identify non-insureds, the use of a computer program to aid management of
this potential epidemic is very interesting.
It would not be surprising if the Commission’s further work on this
subject included new technology in this area.
that the North Carolina Industrial Commission has utilized new technology to
help identify non-insureds, the use of a computer program to aid management of
this potential epidemic is very interesting.
It would not be surprising if the Commission’s further work on this
subject included new technology in this area.