HD60 - Inclusion of Antidepressants and Anti-Anxiety Drugs in the Virginia Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL) Program


Executive Summary:
Item 326 BB 7 of the 2004 Appropriations Act provides guidance to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) regarding the potential inclusion of the antidepressant and anti-anxiety drug classes in the Department’s preferred drug list (PDL) program. The Appropriations Act states that, if included on the PDL, these classes may not become effective earlier than July 1, 2005, and that DMAS must report to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2005 on its plans for inclusion. Attachment A provides a copy of Item 326 BB 7.

DMAS’ Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee’s first meeting to review these classes occurred on October 6, 2004 and public comments from all interested stakeholders were accepted at this time. The P&T Committee unanimously recommended inclusion of these classes on the PDL. Subsequently, the Committee met on December 8, 2004 to determine which drugs within these classes would be “preferred.” Subject to the approval of the 2005 General Assembly, the Department will include these classes on the PDL effective no earlier than July 1, 2005.

This report provides information regarding: (i) how the P&T Committee reviewed these drug classes and determined whether the classes should be added to the PDL; (ii) which drugs within each class are recommended to be “preferred;” (iii) the estimated annual savings of including these drug classes on the PDL; and (iv) the Department’s plan for minimizing adverse impacts on consumers and educating providers.