03/11/21
WorkersCompensation.com
Oakland, CA (WorkersCompensation.com) – A California Workers Compensation Institute (CWCI) study finds that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) now account for more than a third of all drugs dispensed to injured workers in California, triple the proportion noted for opioids. The study also reveals that although most NSAIDs that are used are inexpensive, and utilization has been flat since the state s evidence-based prescription drug formulary took effect in 2018, NSAIDs share of the total drug spend has soared from 14.2% to 23.5%, largely driven by increased payments for two low-volume, high-priced drugs that are exempt from prospective utilization review (UR) and that lack price controls.