As we have previously reported, the North Carolina
Industrial Commission was tasked to investigate a prescription
formulary for North Carolina State workers. The results of
the investigation were published earlier this year. The
Commission considered the potential savings, benefits, and
implementation procedures of a drug formulary, not just for State
workers, but for the workers' compensation system as a
whole. Also requested specifically by the General Assembly,
the Commission also investigated the use of narcotic drugs and the
growing health problem of opioid use.
The results of the investigation included a general
statement that given the complexity of drug formulary
implementation, the Commission recommended additional time and
resources be spent evaluating the costs and benefits associated
with a formulary. The Commission recognized that, in the
meantime, a generic mandate could have potential savings.
Specifically for this post, the Commission stated that
