Helios has just released their drug trend report covering spend, trends, and influencers for 2013 and 2014. As the largest – and oldest – WC PBM, Helios has perhaps the broadest and “longest” perspective, able to draw on several decades of data to identify, parse, and analyze trends.
The PBM also has quite the stable of researchers, PharmDs, and technical writers who have combined to produce a report that is both readable and relevant.
A few key takeaways:
- Drug costs on a per-claim basis are going up, driven by increases in AWP pricing. The impact of manufacturers’ price increases is dramatic;
- Generic AWP was up 10 percent in 2014
- Brand increased 12.5 percent
- Opioid utilization is trending downwards by almost every measure; fewer claimants are prescribed opioids; the average Morphine Equivalent Dosage has declined; and the number of MEDs per claimant has dropped as well.
- Meanwhile, compounds now account for 5.6 percent of spend, an increase of almost 37 percent over 2013.
There is a wealth of additional information in the hundred-odd pages from updates on legislative and regulatory initiatives to an explanation of future cost drivers and external factors influencing utilization.
I’d also note that the Report in and of itself is revealing; the professionalism, graphics, attention to detail and broad coverage of all things work comp pharmacy show just how much work comp PBMs have matured. While the first drug trend reports from a decade ago were helpful, there’s just no comparison.
Kudos to Helios.
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