In the December 2015 edition of Partners in Health
UpdateSM, we provided information about high-risk medications
(HRM) and the increased potential for side effects in adults ages 65 and older.
In this edition, we want to remind you that prior authorization may be required
for some HRMs.
Initially derived from the American Geriatric Society?s ?Beer?s Criteria,?
HRMs have been proven to put older patients at a higher risk for adverse drug
events. For example, medications such as zolpidem, amitriptyline, estrogens,
and glyburide place patients at a higher risk for drug-related toxicities and
increased risk for falls and fractures.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance and the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services continue to monitor utilization of medications considered to
be high-risk in older adults. Careful and appropriate use of drugs in the
senior population is a critical quality-of-care issue. For these reasons, we
suggest that you use caution when prescribing one or more drugs on the HRM list
to patients ages 65 and older.
Go
here to view the complete list of HRMs.
Prior authorization requirement
Based on the risks of some HRMs, you may encounter the need to obtain prior
authorization. Review the
FutureScripts® Select Drug Formulary
Guide to determine which HRMs require prior authorization (i.e., those with
?PA? indicated in the Additional Requirements column).
If the medication requires prior authorization, you can obtain the
proper form.