January 20, 2010

Dear Peach State Provider:

Peach State Health Plan (Peach State) is making some important changes to our Preferred Drug List, and we are writing to communicate the changes to you. Beginning March 1, 2010, the changes described below will be made.

1. Patients receiving a new prescription for an atypical antipsychotic will be required to try generic risperidone prior to taking a branded drug in the same class. Patients already on therapy with a branded atypical antipsychotic will be allowed to remain on the current therapy, but will be required to try risperidone if a change in medication is needed.
2. Focalin and Focalin XR will no longer be preferred drugs on the Peach State Preferred Drug List. Patients already receiving Focalin and/or Focalin XR will be allowed to remain on the current therapy, but all new starts with Focalin or Focalin XR will require prior authorization.

If you, as a physician, feel that a patient will require medication therapy outside of the above guidelines, you can submit a prior authorization request to US Script, the pharmacy benefit manager for Peach State Health Plan. The Medication Prior Authorization Request Form is available on the Peach State website, www.pshp.com, under the Provider Forms section. This form can be faxed to US Script at 1-866-399-0929.

Thank you,

Wendy D. Bailey, RPh.                   Robyn A. Lorys, Pharm. D.

Director of Pharmacy                      Director of Clinical Pharmacy

Peach State Health Plan                  Peach State Health Plan

This entry is filed under News.