Topicals are being prescribed in workers’ comp with growing frequency, ranking 2nd among the top therapeutic classes at 15.9% of total drug cost and representing 5.7% of total prescriptions. Within this class, cost drivers including prescription (Rx) and private label topical analgesics (PLTAs) are associated with limited clinical efficacy and exorbitant pricing that often eliminates them as favorable first-line therapy options. These and other challenges call for careful oversight that includes identification, clinical review and intervention, and/or recommendation of therapeutic alternatives where appropriate to help control inappropriate utilization and spend.
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