Duluth, GA – Healthcare Solutions recently released its 2015 Drug Trends Report covering changes in prescription drug costs and utilization patterns in 2014 as compared to 2013.
The report noted that Average Wholesale Price (AWP) cost inflation for drugs increased by 8.6%, however due to changes in drug mix and utilization coupled with other clinical initiatives, HCS was able to offset a significant share of the AWP cost inflation so that total pharmacy spend increase was held to 4.1%.
Opioid costs continued to rise during the report period, resulting in a 1.4% increase in overall opioid spend. However HCS did note that it saw a 1.4% decrease in claimants utilizing opioids and a 0.4% decrease in opioids by prescription count, which continued a positive trend in utilization.
Healthcare Solutions also pointed out that its generic dispense rate (GDR) continued to rise, reaching an 83.1% GDR in 2014 – an increase of 3.9% over 2013.
Other key highlights of the report include exploration of other drivers of pharmacy cost, including compound drugs and specialty drugs, and an overview of key regulatory changes impacting workers’ compensation programs.
To download a copy of the report click here: Healthcare Solutions 2015 Drug Trends Report
Disclosure:
Healthcare Solutions is a WorkCompWire Ad Partner.
This is not a paid placement.
Source: WorkCompWire