On April 16th, Healthesystems attended the California Pharmacy & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee meeting, where key updates on the state’s pharmacy fee schedule and drug formulary were discussed.
These meetings serve as a valuable platform to gain insight into the clinical rationale behind the committee’s recommended formulary changes. These meetings offer the opportunity to engage with committee members and stay informed on new developments that may impact the drug formulary.
George Parisotto, DWC Administrative Director, reminded attendees of the July 1st effective date for the new pharmacy fee schedule, and that sample fee files are available on the DWC’s website. An updated fee schedule calculator is expected closer to the effective date.
Dr. Raymond Meister, Executive Medical Director, reported that the ACOEM cannabis treatment guideline is progressing through rulemaking and will be adopted. The committee also finalized a statement endorsing the use of biosimilars when interchangeable and more cost-effective than branded biologics.
Additionally, the committee reviewed topical drug expenditures and requested further analysis of topical anesthetics and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as outlined in the MTUS guidelines for the July meeting.
