Drug Formulary Representative Appointed
Ronna Linroth, Manager
of Outpatient Services for Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare
and an active member of the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities,
was appointed by Commissioner Kevin Goodno to a three-year term
as the Consumer Representative to the Drug Formulary Committee
(DFC). Ms. Linroth has thirty years of disability-related experience
and currently manages Gillette's clinics in New Brighton and Gillette's
Duluth.
Ms. Linroth reports that after several months of serving in this
capacity she is pleased with the thoughtfulness, integrity, and consumer
sensitivity of the committee members and the Department representatives.
Committee meetings focus on the clinical effectiveness of drugs to
ensure reasonable choices are appropriate. The economic negotiations
are secondarily discussed between the Department and FirstHealth.
As required by Minnesota Statues 256B.0625, subd 13, other Committee
members include three pharmacists, four physicians, and a nursing
home representative. The committee addresses which drugs should be
on the formulary (easily accessible with prescription) and which
should not (accessible only if a person meets specific criteria).
Minnesota's fee-for-service Medicaid program (MA) recently signed
a contract with FirstHealth Services with the goal of becoming part
of the multi-state purchasing pool, which involves developing a Preferred
Drug List (PDL) and garnering supplemental rebates on preferred drugs.
FirstHealth Staff is responsible to prioritize the schedule for reviewing
drug classes, provide clinical class reviews for DFC consideration,
and negotiating the supplemental rebates.
The committee has developed a set of decision-making principles
and endeavors to be evidenced based where possible. Minnesota is
a new member of the Oregon Drug Effectiveness Review, another multi-state
effort to gather quality clinical research that can further contribute
to the decision making.
Committee meetings are held in the evenings at 444 Lafayette in
St. Paul and are open to the public. Drug manufacturer representatives
and disability group representatives as well as other interested
parties may attend and make short presentations. Committee membership
and meeting minutes can be found on the DHS website.
Minnesotan's deserve information
and access to affordable prescription medications. The Minnesota
RxConnect Web site at www.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=Rx was created to provide Minnesota residents information on issues
related to prescription medicine, safety and cost-saving tips, and
programs to help low-income Minnesotans pay for prescription medications.
A fact sheet for consumers is also available online.
