22-Jul-09 5:00 PM CST

Preferred Drug List Changes

July 22, 2009 - Preferred Drug List Changes
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission Vendor Drug Program implemented changes to the Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) effective today, July 22. The new PDL includes changes recommended by the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee. Two new drugs classes, “Cough and Cold Products” and “Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Agents,” are included in this update. The new “Cough and Cold” drug class includes many combination products used in the symptomatic treatment of colds, as well as narcotic and non-narcotic cough and cold products. Please visit the Preferred Drug List webpage for a summary of the changes and to view the PDL.
Notable Changes
·     The Proventil HFA® Inhaler was added to the PDL as the preferred albuterol inhaler.*
·     Xopenex HFA® Inhaler will also remain on the PDL in the “beta-agonist bronchodilator” drug class.
·     Ventolin HFA® and Proair HFA® Inhalers will remain non-preferred drugs and require prior authorization.
*Pharmacists should dispense Proventil HFA® as the preferred albuterol HFA inhaler. Non-preferred Ventolin HFA® and Proair HFA® will require initial treatment failure with the preferred Proventil HFA before they will be considered for prior approval.
·     In the “Proton Pump Inhibitor” drug class, Nexium® will remain on the PDL as the exclusive preferred product.
·     Prevacid® will change to non-preferred status although Prevacid Solutabs® will be approved for the treatment of children under age 11.
The online formulary search will reflect the latest changes to the PDL by July 28.

For additional information on this article, please contact:

HHSC

Source: HHSC

http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us