PharmaWatch: Updates Impacting the Workers’ Compensation Industry

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a voluntary, manufacturer-initiated recall of more than 7,000 bottles of duloxetine delayed-release capsules due to unacceptable levels of a potential carcinogen.

ODG by MCG has adopted updates to its ODG Drug Formulary, which includes U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs listed by generic and/or brand names that are commonly prescribed for workplace injuries.

On August 7, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Purdue Pharma's Zurnai® (nalmefene) autoinjector for emergency treatment of opioid overdose in individuals aged 12 years and older.

On July 16, 2024, Endo USA, Inc. voluntarily recalled a single lot of Clonazepam 0.125 mg and 0.25 mg Orally Disintegrating tablets (ODT) due to a packaging error.

Effective July 26, 2024, ODG by MCG is updating Appendix A − its drug formulary – with the following medication edits to both the preferred, first-line “Y” drugs, and drugs that are not recommended as a first-line treatment known as “N” drugs.

Read our new Q2 2024 (January through March) pipeline report that features new drug approvals, new generics, withdrawals and discontinuations of certain products, as well as near-term pipeline products and patent expirations.

On June 13, 2024, Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted pediatric exclusivity for opioid medications Nucynta® and Nucynta® ER.

Effective April 1, 2024, the Georgia Board of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) newly released medical fee schedule provides guidelines and rules for coding and reimbursement of topical medications.

On May 1, 2024, Rubicon Research Pvt. Ltd. recalled one lot of tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg tablets after it was reported that a different medication, baclofen 10 mg tablets, could be mixed in with one lot of the tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg tablets.

Get the latest updates about newly, FDA-approved Rezenopy (naloxone hydrochloride) and naloxone nasal spray, 4mg/0.1mL, a generic to the OTC version of Narcan.

Read our new Q1 2024 (January through March) pipeline report that features new drug approvals, new generics, withdrawals and discontinuations of certain products, as well as near-term pipeline products and patent expirations.

Effective March 29, ODG is updating Appendix A (its drug formulary). The planned changes will affect opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and sedative hypnotics.

On Friday, March 8, 2024, the FDA approved Wegovy (semaglutide) for a new indication--reduction of risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease who are obese or overweight. Wegovy should be used along with increased physical activity and a reduced calorie diet.