Minutes
Drug Utilization Review Board Meeting
DATE:  12/14/11		

Meeting Purpose: Quarterly Open Board Meeting 
Meeting opened at 6:00 P.M. by Chair, Sarah McGee

Agenda Items:

I.	Welcome and Introductory Remarks
II.	Pipeline Preview
III.	MassHealth Drug List Update
IV.	DUR Operational Update
V.	MassHealth Update	Dr. Paul Jeffrey

Agenda Item	
                                              Discussion	
Conclusions/Follow Up	

Review of Minutes

The September 2011 Minutes were reviewed and accepted as written at the November Drug Utilization Review (DUR) Board meeting.	
Follow Up:
N/A	

Action

September Minutes approved as noted.	
Conclusion:
N/A 	

Agenda Item	
                                              Discussion	
Conclusions/Follow Up	

Pipeline Preview 

	
A continuing education program, Pipeline Preview: A Summary of the Pharmaceutical Pipeline, was presented, and included recent and anticipated FDA approvals, therapeutic class trends and anticipated generic availability. 
	
Follow Up: 
Informational	

Action
	
Most frequently studied therapeutic classes include: 
•	Oncology
•	Central Nervous System
•	Infectious Disease
•	Pain/Inflammation
•	Cardiovascular
•	Diabetes/Metabolism
•	Respiratory

Significant industry trends include:
•	Oncology – focused genetically guided therapies
•	Central Nervous System – generic antipsychotics, MS Oral therapies
•	Infectious Disease – activity in Hepatitis C/Protease Inhibitor class
•	Pain/Inflammation - abuse deterrent medications emerging
•	Cardiovascular – growth in anticoagulation/antithrombotic class
•	Diabetes/Metabolism – inhaled insulin possible 
•	Respiratory – generic montelukast expected in mid-2012
	
Conclusion: 
N/A 	

Agenda Item	
                                              Discussion	
Conclusions/Follow Up	

MHDL Update	
Overview of the Drug List additions effective January 9, 2012, and the drug list changes effective January 23, 2012.	
Follow Up:  
Informational 

Action

There are 19 new additions effective January 9, 2012. Changes in Prior Authorization status effective January 23, 2012, were also reviewed.

Other updates included:
•	one new PA form: Prostate Cancer Agents 
•	one new therapeutic table: Anticoagulants 
	
Conclusion:  
Changes in the MassHealth Drug List will continue to be provided as needed.

Agenda Item	
                                              Discussion	
Conclusions/Follow Up	

DUR Operational Update	
Quarterly Operations Update 	
Follow Up:  
Informational 	

Action

	
DUR Operations monthly workload includes the following:

•	Average of 6,500 PA requests 
•	Average of 7,500 calls 
o	Average abandonment rate of 1.5 % 
o	Average treatment time of 4 minutes 
•	Average of 10 appeals
•	Average of 500 Provider outreach calls 
•	Top 10 medications include: Suboxone, Lidoderm, Cymbalta, Advair, lansoprazole, Strattera, Singulair, Lyrica, Seroquel, and Nexium 
•	Upon examination of PA approvals, discovered that on average   
      20-25% of PA approvals are not subsequently utilized. 	
Conclusion: 
Quarterly operational updates will continue to be provided as needed. 

Agenda Item	
                                              Discussion	
Conclusions/Follow Up	

MassHealth Update

	
N/A 	
Follow Up  
Informational	

Action	
	
Conclusion: 

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by: Vincent Palumbo, Director of DUR

Date: 3/14/12