Microsoft word - issue #2.doc

PARTNERSHIP HEALTHPLAN OF CALIFORNIA (PHC)
PRACTITIONER
BULLETIN
360 Campus Lane, Ste. 100
Fairfield, CA 94534 (707) 863-4144

www.partnershiphp.org

MEDICAL DIRECTOR UPDATE
HOW TO GET A NON-FORMULARY MEDICATION APPROVED- It’s as simple as D O C!! Recently
there has been some confusion in our network about how to get non-formulary medications approved
through PHC. As you know at the Partnership the provider of service must complete the TAR. With
medications, the provider of service is the pharmacy. The pharmacist does need the help of the
prescriber as only you know the information needed to complete the TAR. So, if you could quickly jot
down on the prescription the Diagnosis, Other medications tried and the Clinical justification
when you write for a non-formulary medication it will really help the pharmacist and PHC get the
member the medication that they need. The mnemonic is D O C. Thank you for your help.

PHC FORMULARY NOW AVAILABLE ON EPOCRATES
PHC is excited to announce that our formulary can now be accessed through ePocrates drug
reference software. ePocrates is a software program that runs on Palm OS handheld devices. Once
you have downloaded the database to your handheld device, you can check formulary status, prior
authorization requirements, formulary alternatives, generic substitutes and quantity limits.
Additionally the software features a drug reference that includes information such as indication,
dosing, contraindications, drug interactions, adverse reactions and cost information. ePocrates Rx
can be downloaded free of charge on their website at www.epocrates.com. Please note that
ePocrates also offers a premium version (ePocrates Rx Pro) for an annual fee, however it is not
necessary to download this version in order to access the PHC formulary.
ESTROGENIC AGENTS
There are currently five oral estrogenic agents approved by the FDA and available on the market.
Current evidence suggests that the various estrogen preparations have similar beneficial effects and
there is no clinical evidence that any one agent is superior to another. Effective June 1, 2003
estradiol (generic Estrace) will be the only formulary estrogenic agent on the PHC formulary. For
your members currently taking Premarin, PHC will allow continuing therapy without a TAR if the
member is stable and has had a prescription filled within the last 120 days. Initial starts of Premarin
and initial starts and continuation of Ogen, Menest and Cenestin will require an approved TAR.
BRAND NAME
GENERIC NAME
F=Formulary
NF=Non Formulary

REMERON NOW AVAILABLE IN GENERIC FORM
Remeron (mirtazapine) is now available as a generic equivalent at a reduced cost of approximately
20% less than the brand and approximately 5% less than the Sol Tab (disintegrating tablet) dosage
form. Thus effective June 1, 2003 Remeron (mirtazapine) Sol Tabs will be removed from the
formulary. PHC will allow continuing therapy of the Sol Tab without a TAR if the member is stable
and has had a prescription filled within the last 120 days.
SUMMARY OF RECENT FORMULARY CHANGES

Effective 6-1-03
Deletions:
Additions:
Estratab Tablets (esterified estrogens) (1) Estropipate Tablets (generic Ogen, Ortho-Est) Premarin Tablets (conjugated estrogens) (2) Continued therapy allowed if member had a prescription filled within the last 120 days Please access our website for a detailed listing of all formulary additions and changes: www.partnershiphp.org If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the content of this bulletin please contact either the PHC Medical Director at [email protected] or call (707) 863-4261 or the PHC Pharmacy Director at [email protected] or call (707) 863-4234. In order for PHC to better serve you please forward your email address to the PHC Provider Relations Director, Mary Kerlin at [email protected].

Source: http://partnershiphp.org/MC_Prov/Bulletins/May2003.pdf