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Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
The latest survey on workers compensation prescription drug management produced by Joe Paduda and Helen Knight's CompPharma L.L.C. contains insight into some pharmacy payers' concerns.
The 10th annual survey results come from information provided by 23 insurer and third party administrators who spent $698 million on pharmaceuticals during 2012.
The survey reveals the respondents' drug costs have lowered, yet they remain very concerned about opioid prescribing with more of them implementing urine drug monitoring for claimants.
Payers are also very concerned about doctor dispensing of narcotics. Their concerns include patient safety due to a lack of utilization review, higher costs attributed to the price of repackaged drugs, and the potential for extended disability durations.
You can learn more about the survey results here.
The survey producers also say that after much analysis they concluded that it is not possible to calculate the total amount of nationwide workers comp drug spend.
On a personal note, we brought together two of Idaho's finest blue grass bands at our home Sunday afternoon for our third-annual fund raiser for the Idaho Food Bank.
Last year we were super excited to raise $1,600 from friends and neighbors who gathered on our property looking out at the mountains around Boise. This year we hoped to beat that by raising $2,500 while having a great time.
But we raised $4,258 in cash, which the food bank can use to purchase at least 12,000 meals. We also collected a few hundred pounds of food. It's a great way to have fun, grow closer to your neighbors and help people in need.