Insight, analysis & opinion from Joe Paduda
A family matter required my full attention last week, which was why you didn’t see any new posts on Managed Care Matters. A lot happened which we’ll reprise here quickly. Alex Swedlow of CWCI published another report on the ongoing … Continue reading What happened last week?
Read More...I wasn’t there, but certainly heard enough about it to wish I was. I’m referring to CWCI’s annual meeting held yesterday in San Francisco, a meeting that might well have been subtitled “Opioids and the Doctors who prescribe them”. The … Continue reading Docs and drugs – details on the ‘high prescribers’
Read More...Narcotic manufacturer Cephalon is back in the news, once again facing an investigation focused on the use of Fentora, a Schedule II narcotic, in workers comp cases. Fentora is only FDA approved for breakthrough cancer pain – a condition quite … Continue reading Narcotic opioids in comp – Cephalon’s role
Read More...Just in case you thought the problems with abuse of powerful prescription drugs have been overstated, here’s a wake-up call. The CDC’s Director is taking this very seriously, saying: “Overdose with prescription drugs is one of the most serious and … Continue reading Narcotic usage – too much, or too little?
Read More...The work comp pharmacy benefit management industry is growing increasingly sophisticated, and the release of PMSI’s Annual Drug Trends Report this morning adds to the trend. Many of the larger work comp PBMs produce similar reports, providing deep insights into … Continue reading Work comp pharmacy – one company’s experience
Read More...Following RIMs, it was off to NCCI for their conference, then a furious few days to catch up and follow up and get a couple deliverables out. Now that there’s a few minutes to go back thru my notes from … Continue reading A look back at RIMS – DME formularies, claim triage, and drug costs
Read More...When you get a call late on a Friday, it’s usually good news – if it was bad, they’d usually wait till Monday rather than ruin your weekend. The call I received from Kent Takemoto, MD, President of PMSI Settlement … Continue reading Good news on a Monday – CMS’ change in MSA ‘accounting’
Read More...In the very narrow world of work comp managed care, there’s an even skinnier slice focused on managing pharmacy. As pharma accounts for almost a fifth of all medical dollars spent in comp, its an area that certainly deserves attention … Continue reading Texas’ efforts to control WC Rx
Read More...In one of those all-but-unnoticed moves that could have a dramatic effect on workers comp, the FDA has moved to ban a number of currently-dispensed pain medications, medications that are currently prescribed to many work comp claimants. These aren’t the … Continue reading FDA move to hit workers comp hard
Read More...is exemplified by drug manufacturer Cephalon’s drug pricing strategy. The company’s narcolepsy drug Provigil is coming off patent in 2012. So, like any good corporation seeking to maximize shareholder wealth, it has developed a replacement drug – Nuvigil, that is … Continue reading What’s wrong with the US health care system
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