Business Insurance: The workers compensation industry continues to grapple with the rise in the use of costlier topical medications for pain management.  

Some say the drugs pose health dangers and that abusive pricing practices fuel their proliferation in costs.

In 2022, the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission adopted a prescription topical medication cap and a prescription topical compound cap.

According to a 2024 report by the Workers Compensation Research Institute, South Carolina saw a significant reduction in payment shares for dermatological agents, decreasing from a peak of 55% in 2021 to 36% in the first quarter of 2023.

Read the full article here.  The study cited is "Interstate Variation and Trends in Workers’ Compensation Drug Payments, 5th Edition."  You can find information on how to get a copy on our website.