Deadly Drug Combinations Escaping Notice

This potentially deadly drug mixture may not be on every payer’s radar screen because of the relatively low AWP for each drug. But when abuse is involved, payers need to seriously consider the additional costs of the consequences of abuse of this drug combination — detoxification and rehabilitation — as well as the real potential for loss of life.

The challenge for workers’ compensation payers is to identify and monitor risky drug combinations before they endanger the injured worker or are diverted to the street.  The risks inherent in opioid therapy have been well documented and significant efforts are being made by legislators, federal agencies, PBMs, payers and others to reduce opioid use in the workers’ compensation population. But opioid use alone is not the only concern.