Louisiana bill seeks closed formulary

A Louisiana senator is calling for a closed drug formulary for the state’s worker’s compensation program, to help combat the overutilization of opioids and compounded drugs.

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Sen. Danny Martiny (Rep.) filed S.B. 256, which says the state should switch to a closed formulary. The bill also says the Office of Worker’s Compensation should set up a Closed Formulary Oversight Panel made up of pharmacists and physicians.

Closed formularies, which have reduced workers comp medical costs in Ohio, Texas and Washington, require proof that non-formulary medications - or “N” drugs - are medically necessary before they can be prescribed to injured workers, according to an article in Business Insurance. A limited list of covered medications - or “Y” drugs - don’t require preauthorization.

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According to the bill, "N" drugs would include medications labeled narcotics by FDA, any compounded drugs or compound medication, any experimental drugs and any drugs that aren’t listed on the closed formulary at the time of prescription.

The closed formulary won’t apply to claims with a date of injury prior to Jan. 1, 2016, according to S.B. 256.