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February/March 2010

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Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee formulary update

On November 17, 2009, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee met and reviewed several drugs, policies and prior authorization criteria. The following information summarizes the recommendations made at the P&T meeting. It doesn't represent a comprehensive list of all drugs included on our approved drug list. Please visit priorityhealth.com for detailed information regarding drug coverage.

November P&T changes: At a glance

Alphabetized by drug name
Therapeutic ClassDrugChange applies toP&T recommendationEffective Date
CommercialMedicaidMedicare
Gastrointestinal Aciphex (rabeprazole) X X   Modify ST (see table below) 1-1-2010
Infectious Disease Cancidas (caspofungin)     X Remove PA 1-1-2010
Cardiology Effient (prasugrel) X X X Add to formulary 1-1-2010
Infectious Disease Eraxis (anidulafungin)     X Remove PA 1-1-2010
Neurology Extavia (interferon beta-1b) X   X Add to formulary with ST (Copaxone or Rebif first) 1-1-2010
CNS Fanapt (iloperidone) X   X Add to formulary with ST (one preferred atypical antipsychotic first) 1-1-2010
Immunology Ilaris (canakinumab) X* X* X* Add to formulary with PA 1-1-2010
CNS Intuniv (guanfacine) X   X Add to formulary with ST (generic guanfacine AND either Adderall XR or Concerta first) 1-1-2010
Gastrointestinal Kapidex (dexlansoprazole) X X X Modify ST (see table below) 1-1-2010
Pain Management Maxalt/MLT (rizatriptan) X X   Add ST (sumatriptan first) 1-1-2010
Infectious Disease Mycamine (micafungin)     X Remove PA 1-1-2010
Gastrointestinal Nexium (esomeprazole) X X   Modify ST (see table below) 1-1-2010
Endocrine Onglyza (saxagliptin) X X X Add to formulary with ST (metformin first) 1-1-2010
Pain Management Onsolis (fentanyl buccal soluble film) X   X Add to formulary with PA 1-1-2010
Gastrointestinal Prevacid SoluTab (lansoprazole) X X   Modify ST (see table below) Add to formulary Add to formulary with ST (one preferred atypical antipsychotic first) Add to formulary with PA/ST (Enbrel or Humira first) Change to generic T1 copay Add to formulary with PA Remove ST Modify ST (see table below) Add to formulary with ST (generic diclofenac first) 1-1-2010
Neurology Sabril (vigabatrin) X X X Add to formulary 1-1-2010
CNS Saphris (asenapine) X   X Add to formulary with ST (one preferred atypical antipsychotic first) 1-1-2010
Dermatology Stelara (ustekinumab) X* X* X* Add to formulary with PA/ST (Enbrel or Humira first) 1-1-2010
Respiratory Symbicort (budesonide/ formoterol) X     Change to generic T1 copay 1-1-2010
Cardiology Tyvaso (treprostinil) X X X Add to formulary with PA 1-1-2010
Infectious Disease Valtrex (valacyclovir) X X X Remove ST 1-1-2010
Gastrointestinal Zegerid (omeprazole/ sodium bicarbonate) X X   Modify ST (see table below) 1-1-2010
Pain Management Zipsor (diclofenac potassium) X X X Add to formulary with ST (generic diclofenac first) 1-1-2010
PA = Prior Authorization
ST = Step Therapy
• Indicates the change applies to this formulary
* indicates drug is covered under the medical benefit
P = Preferred Brand
NP = Non-Preferred Brand
PS = Preferred Brand Specialty
NPS = Non-Preferred Brand Specialty
T1, T2, T3, T4 = Medicare Tier Designation

PPI step therapy

Step 1 Generics
- covered with no ST/PA required
- covered for twice-daily dosing with no PA required
- all three generics/OTC must be tried prior to Step 2
Prilosec OTC/omeprazole
Prevacid OTC/lansoprazole
pantoprazole
Step 2 Preferred brand
- covered after trial and failure of all three generics/OTC
- covered for twice-daily dosing only with PA
Aciphex
Step 3 Non-preferred brands
- covered after trial and failure of all three generics/OTC & Aciphex
- covered for twice-daily dosing only with PA
Nexium
Kapidex
Prevacid Solutab
Zegerid

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