DWC Posts Updated MTUS Drug List Effective August 1, 2021

The Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) Administrative Director George Parisotto has issued an Order updating the Medical Treatment Utilization Schedule (MTUS) Drug List effective August 1, 2021, pursuant to Labor Code section 5307.29.

The updated MTUS Drug List v.9 and the Administrative Director Order can be accessed on the DWC MTUS drug formulary webpage. The Administrative Director’s update Order adopts changes to the MTUS Drug List, based on the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) Practice Guidelines, published by Reed Group, Ltd., including the following:

• New drug recommendations addressed for COVID-19 Coronavirus and modification of status of several drugs from non-exempt to exempt
• Deletes drug recommendations for two drugs
• Changes diclofenac potassium to non-exempt status due to higher risk profile evidence in ACOEM guidelines and recommendation of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee

Further updates to the MTUS Drug List will be made on a quarterly or more frequent basis. DWC welcomes comment from the public on the formulary drug list. Injured workers, physicians, pharmacists and others may submit their questions, comments, and suggestions to DWC. All correspondence should be directed to Formulary@dir.ca.gov.

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