Who knew? PBM’s make money selling drugs?

New PBM Info Reveals Comp Drug Facts

Progressive Medical and Express Scripts, two large pharmacy benefit managers, recently released data regarding the use of various drugs in the work comp setting.  This information takes on added significance since, according to NCCI, drugs now account for 19% of all work comp medical expense.

Roberto Ceniceros, writing in the April 23, 2012 issue of Business Insurance, notes that antidepressants and narcotics are among the most commonly prescribed comp drugs.  Also noted is that these studies, while helpful, reflect the usage patterns of only two of many PBMs and including other PBM data would give the studies more relevance.

There are two things to note here.  Get your drug utilization data from NCCI.  Their data is much more comprehensive.  Secondly, PBMs make money selling drugs!  Keep that in mind when reflecting upon how much they claim to be saving through their utilization review.

OMCA’s PharmCLEAR® program is designed to address extent and duration in pharmaceutical utilization.   And we don’t sell drugs.

Call us. We can do better.

William V. Faris, JD
Chief Executive Officer
502-495-5040
wiliam.faris@omca.biz
www.omca.biz

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