WCIRB Reports Drops in Compounds, Opioids in Formulary Analysis

The share of pharmaceutical payments for opioids, compound drugs and brand-name drugs when generic alternatives were available dropped sharply after the California Division of Workers’ Compensation implemented a prescription drug formulary. “Cost Impact of California’s Drug Formulary — Two-Year Checkup,” a Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau report released Tuesday, said the drop in payments for opioids, compounds and brand-name drugs that started when the formulary was put in place in 2018 continued in 2019 and early 2020. Pharmac...