UMass Medical School pharmacists will display some of our pivotal opioid management work and present a NASH budget impact model at the American Drug Utilization Review Society (ADURS) conference February 22-24, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
During the ADURS conference, we will showcase two poster presentations, “Impact of a Pilot Outreach Program upon Provider Awareness and Prescribing of a Concerning Opioid Combination Regimen” and “A Budget Impact Model for Two Investigational Agents for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis.”
February 22, 2018 12:30-1:35 p.m., poster session
“Impact of a Pilot Outreach Program upon Provider Awareness and Prescribing of a Concerning Opioid Combination Regimen”
Tyson Thompson, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Briana L. Santaniello, PharmD, MBA, Magellan Rx Management (employee with Clinical Pharmacy Services at the time the research was conducted)
Thomas C. Pomfret, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Mark Tesell, PharmD, BCPS, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Nicole M. Trask, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Caroline J. Alper, MD, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Karen Clements, MPH, ScD, Center for Health Policy and Research
Vincent J. Palumbo, RPh, MBA, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Kimberly Lenz, PharmD, Office of Clinical Affairs
Paul L. Jeffrey, PharmD, Office of Clinical Affairs
This pilot program was developed in response to a drug utilization review within a large Medicaid population that revealed some hazardous practices. Co-prescribing of opioids with benzodiazepines, gabapentin, and other stimulants occurred in more than 500 members, putting them at risk for additive central nervous system depression, misuse, abuse, and death from overdose.
The poster presentation outlines the objectives, methods, and results of a telephonic outreach program that addressed these safety concerns. It captures prescriber awareness of the presence and risks of potentially deadly medication combinations among members in their care, with some intriguing results.
Our experts provide health plans with framework and support to address the opioid epidemic head on with robust opioid medication management programs, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and prescriber outreach. Our interdisciplinary team’s innovative approach helps health plans decrease inappropriate opioid usage and while ensuring members maintain access to appropriate pain management.
“A Budget Impact Model for Two Investigational Agents for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).”
Nicole M. Trask, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Pavel Lavitas, PharmD, BCPS, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Vincent J. Palumbo, RPh, MBA, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Statistics show approximately 15 million Americans suffer from NASH, a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease that is projected to become the most common reason for liver transplantation. There are no FDA approved therapies for NASH, so doctors are forced to treat patients with off-label medications while keeping an eye out for breakthroughs in medication development.
Two novel therapies, obeticholic acid and elafibranor, are currently in Phase III trials. If they receive FDA approval, interest will be high as they will be the first treatments specifically labeled for NASH. We detail a budget impact model for a sample state Medicaid plan in this poster presentation. This activity is valuable for payers to anticipate the impact of cutting-edge therapies in their population and proactively plan management strategies that ensure member access while maintaining cost-effectiveness.