Cambridge, MA, January 25, 2022―Today, the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) announced that preliminary research on the impact of drug formularies will be shared at the Institute’s 38th Annual Issues & Research Conference, March 16-17, 2022, in Boston, MA.

“Drug formularies are one of the tools policymakers are increasingly using to regulate pharmaceutical utilization and costs in workers’ compensation,” said John Ruser, WCRI’s president and CEO. “This is one of several preliminary studies we will be sharing at our annual conference, giving attendees a first look.”

Dr. Vennela Thumula will share preliminary findings from her study Impact of Drug Formularies in Various States, which analyzes the impact of drug formularies in several states, including Arkansas, California, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, and Tennessee. The following are the questions this session will answer:

• How do formularies differ, and what has been their impact on costs and prescribing?
• If prior approval is required for certain drugs, how frequently are those drugs prescribed?
• Do drug formularies result in the substitution of drugs that don’t require prior approval for similar drugs that do require prior approval?  

The WCRI conference is a leading workers’ compensation forum. The two-day program highlights the Institute’s latest research findings while drawing upon the diverse perspectives of highly respected workers’ compensation experts and policymakers from across the country. Conference participants will leave with new insights, valuable networking contacts, and a better understanding of key issues in today’s competitive environment.

Those who register by February 14 can save up to $100. A special conference hotel rate of $279 a night is also available for a limited time. To learn more about the conference or to register, visit https://www.wcrinet.org/news/events/38th-annual-wcri-issues-research-conference.  

To ensure a safe event, WCRI will be adhering to federal, state, and local health laws—including the City of Boston’s current mandate that all attendees show proof of vaccination. WCRI staff will be monitoring the situation leading up to and during the event daily in case safety protocols need to be adjusted.

About WCRI:

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization based in Cambridge, MA. Organized in late 1983, the Institute does not take positions on the issues it researches; rather, it provides information obtained through studies and data collection efforts, which conform to recognized scientific methods. Objectivity is further ensured through rigorous, unbiased peer review procedures. WCRI's diverse membership includes employers; insurers; governmental entities; managed care companies; health care providers; insurance regulators; state labor organizations; and state administrative agencies in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

###

Return to EventsPress Releases listing