California Drug Formulary Reduces Opioid Approvals

The utilization review approval rate for opioids for injured workers in California has declined 3.5% since the state’s prescription drug formulary took effect on Jan. 1, according to a preliminary analysis by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute. In October 2015, Gov. Jerry Brown signed A.B. 1124 mandating the adoption of an evidence-based formulary for medications prescribed to California injured workers and calling on the state Division of Workers’ Compensation to incorporate the formulary into its Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule.