California Examines 1 Year-Old Workers’ Comp Drug Formulary

A new report shows that an evidence-based drug formulary put into effect by the California Division of Workers’ Compensation’s over a year ago may be working.

The formulary went into effect Jan. 1, 2018. It was intended to: reduce frictional costs in the workers’ compensation system; restrict inappropriate prescribing, especially those that relate to opioids; and ensure that injured workers receive medically necessary medications in a timely manner.

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California reviewed the impact of the new drug formulary on prescribing patterns and pharmaceutical costs based on WCIRB pharmaceutical transaction information through the first year of implementation.

Findings include:

The full report is available on WCIRB’s website.