Overall opioid utilization down nearly 10%; sustained-release
opioids drop by over 10%
SAN
DIEGO, April 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/
-- Efforts by workers' comp regulators and professionals to
control opioid prescriptions and distribution are resulting in one
of the largest drops in utilization the workers' comp industry has
seen in years, according to researchers who published part one of
Enlyte's 2024 Annual Pharmacy Solutions Drug Trends Report
today.
Each year Enlyte researchers analyze drug utilization and
spending trends in workers' comp to provide the industry with new
insights in pharmacy management. Enlyte's 2024 series reflects on
trends clients experienced in 2023, with an overview of both in-
and out-of-network prescriptions.
Among opioid categories, the report indicates decreases in
utilization, including sustained-released opioids, which dropped by
more than 10% in 2023, as supported by prescribing guidelines.
Enlyte's data also shows overall opioid usage per claim dropped by
nearly 10%, while cost per claim decreased by more than 7%.
"This, by far, marks one of the
largest drops in opioid utilization we've seen in years," said
Nikki Wilson, PharmD, MBA, senior
director, clinical pharmacy solutions. "In addition, opioid
alternatives commonly prescribed to manage acute and chronic pain
also experienced decreases in utilization per claim, although to a
lesser degree than opioids."
Researchers also noted per claim drops in overall drug cost and
utilization in workers' comp among therapeutic classes ranked by
cost in 2023. Though eight of the top 10 therapeutic classes
experienced increased costs per script — with two classes rising by
more than 10% — utilization per claim fell in every class except
migraine medications, which jumped 17%.
The largest script cost increases were within the respiratory
and migraine medication classes at 14.7% and 10.2%, respectively,
and both classes were among the top five therapeutic classes to
experience brand average wholesale price increases in 2023, which
likely contributed to the rising cost per script, said Wilson.
"Basically, what's driving these trends are the costs of the top
three medications in their respective classes," she said. "For
instance, for migraine medications, Nurtec ODT is prescribed about
15% of the time yet makes up more than 31% of the total drug spend
in this category. Similarly, respiratory medication like Trelegy
Ellipta is prescribed about 10%, but accounts for nearly 19% of all
respiratory medication total costs."
Additionally, Enlyte data shows that retail and mail order
prescriptions are trending downward with utilization per claim
falling by more than 5% and cost per claim down by 0.2%. However,
costs per script continue to rise, increasing from last year's
report by 5.2%.
To access part 1 of Enlyte's drug trends report, click here.
About Enlyte
Headquartered in San Diego, CA, Enlyte (www.enlyte.com) is the
parent company of Mitchell, Genex and Coventry, leaders in
cost-containment technology, independent medical exams (IME),
provider and specialty networks, case management services, pharmacy
benefit and disability management. The Enlyte businesses align
their joint industry expertise and advanced technology solutions in
a combined organization of nearly 6,000 associates committed to
simplifying and optimizing property, casualty and disability claims
processes and services.
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SOURCE Enlyte