Topical drugs are among the costliest drug class in workers’ compensation, and migraine medications are increasing in double-digit costs and usage, according to a report released Thursday by Enlyte LLC.
Enlyte, which provides comp services under several subsidiaries, reviewed prescription data for 2021 and 2022 and found minor changes in use, with a few exceptions.
The top 10 drugs prescribed in comps account for 75.5% of prescriptions and 76.9% of costs, according to the report, which highlighted how many of the most commonly prescribed drugs in comps are the effects of the decline in opioid prescribing.
After topicals, which are mostly prescribed for pain, opioids, anticonvulsants for nerve pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, respiratory medications, peptic ulcer medications, hematologic medications, and migraine medications made up the top ten.
Five of the ten drug classes saw use decrease. The drug class that saw the largest increase in use was migraine medications, up 1
4.8%. The largest decrease was for opioids at 7.7%. Migraine medications also saw the largest increase in cost per claim, at 34.4%.Source link
