Topical Medications in Workers' Compensation Pharmacy Care

This technical report discusses the evolving landscape of topical medications in workers' compensation pharmacy care over the past 15 years. It outlines the issues related to off-label prescribing, practitioner dispensing, and the overutilization of compounded medications, which have prompted regulatory responses from state policymakers. The report highlights current challenges faced by payers, particularly concerning the aggressive overprescribing of private label topicals. It details how Optum has been actively addressing these issues through clinical identification and education aimed at policymakers to manage the utilization of these high-cost medications. Additionally, the report includes educational resources published by Optum, which cover state policies, advocacy tools, and clinical devices for managing topical medication prescriptions. The document also provides recommendations for the state of Florida to address rising costs and utilization trends associated with both compounded and topical medications.