Press Release

FutureScripts® a Presenter at National Labor Office Forum
Dr. Jennifer Dragoun offers strategies to aim for positive outcomes in narcotics use

Philadelphia, PA — April 14, 2010 — Dr. Jennifer Dragoun, medical director for FutureScripts, was a guest speaker today for the National Labor Office’s Webinar Series, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association at 2 p.m. ET. The forum topic was Limiting Narcotics to Appropriate Use for Formulary and Utilization Management Strategies, and Dragoun’s presentation focused on strategies that have proven effective in increasing patient safety and lowering costs for employers and unions. Participants joined from around the country by webinar/teleconference.

As advocates for patient safety, FutureScripts launched a medication safety program to expand on safe prescribing procedures for narcotic drugs. Dragoun’s presentation provided insight on specific ways in which FutureScripts has partnered with Independence Blue Cross to offer a new program that can save lives by identifying potentially dangerous drug interactions.

“A well-planned narcotics management program will reduce medical costs when appropriate medications are prescribed and taken properly, while keeping patient wellbeing as a primary goal,” Dragoun explained. “It can also help to promote proper treatment of underlying medical problems, as well as reduce illicit or non-medical use of narcotic drugs.”

Since the late 1990’s, the abuse, misuse, and overdose of prescription drugs have increased significantly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 20,000 people in the United States die from drug overdose — many accidental, and the most common drugs cited are opioids, like hydrocodone and oxycodone.

“Claims data showed several situations where our members were being prescribed up to ten different narcotics from multiple doctors within a short period of time,” said Dr. Dragoun, who manages this program. “In reviewing these cases, it became clear to us why action is necessary to ensure patient safety, and the wellness of our members.”

In any circumstance where a member appears to be involved in any unsafe prescription drug use, the claims are blocked at the pharmacy, requiring the member’s physician to review the medications and submit supporting documentation. In certain circumstances, a FutureScripts or IBC medical director will discuss the patient situation with the member’s doctor to resolve the matter.

According to Dr. Dragoun, some of the potential causes for recent increases in prescribing and misuse of pain medications are:

  • members seeing multiple doctors, each of whom prescribe drugs for them, not knowing that similar narcotics are being prescribed by other doctors;
  • an increase in substance abuse and drug dependency of narcotic medications;
  • acquisition of narcotic drugs or prescriptions for sale to others.

This program has resulted in profound effects to reduce misuse and abuse of narcotics among FutureScripts member populations.

About The National Labor Office Webinar Series

The ongoing National Labor Office webinar forum educates benefit plan decision makers on various health-related topics for union plans. Within the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Blue plans coordinate efforts on a number of activities, frequently involving the BlueCard® system, national accounts, and other inter-plan programs where they have a shared interest in remaining competitive against other major health insurers. To remain competitive, Blue plans may benefit by exchanging ideas on best practices for medical cost savings, with the goal of reducing the rising cost of medical care for employer groups, national accounts, and members overall.

About FutureScripts

FutureScripts, a pharmacy benefits management company, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, helps employers and health plans manage rising prescription drug costs without sacrificing quality coverage. FutureScripts has built a comprehensive national pharmacy network of more than 60,000 retail pharmacies, including independent pharmacies and all of the major pharmacy retail chains. FutureScripts has developed management tools to ensure access to appropriate prescription drugs, while offering programs and services designed to help members save time and money. For more information, call FutureScripts corporate headquarters at 1-800-444-6305.