The Plan Drug List (PDL) - An overview

• View the current PDL 
• Download Epocrates Rx to view the PDL on your handheld PC device 
• HRC Evidence-Based Medicine Reports

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What is the Plan Drug List?

This is the Division of Medical Assistance Program's (DMAP) preferred drug list. During the 2001 Oregon Legislative session, Senate Bill 819 created the Practitioner-Managed Prescription Drug Plan (PMPDP). The PMPDP requires the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) to maintain a list of the most cost-effective drugs to prescribe for fee-for-service clients. This list is called the Plan Drug List (PDL).

Who created the Plan Drug List?

Local doctors, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and consumers recommended drugs from selected classes for the PDL. The Health Resources Commission (HRC) worked with the Oregon Health and Science University's Center for Evidence-Based Policy to gather clinical data, as well as information from pharmaceutical manufacturers and public testimony. They evaluated all information according to established evidence methods and in a public forum. The HRC submitted recommendations to DMAP for pricing and DMAP made cost-effective selections, creating the PDL.

Why do we have a Plan Drug List?

The PDL identifies the most effective and safe drugs for the majority of patients, based on the information available. Oregon researchers and experts have carefully considered the comparative safety and effectiveness of the drugs recommended for inclusion on this list. Of the drugs recommended, only those representing the best value to the OHP are included.

How do I use the Plan Drug List?

The PDL is a tool to identify the most cost-effective drugs for open-card OHP patients. DMAP asks that when practitioners start a new drug, to consider the drugs on the PDL first.

How do I get a drug on the PDL?

It is important to note that the list is not enforced. It is voluntary only. The Pocket Drug Guide, Epocrates, and OSU’s educational lettering are the only methods used to promote the PDL.

Steps of the process

1. The Health Resources Commission (HRC) compares drugs within a class for safety and effectiveness. They use reports developed by the OHSU Evidence-Based Practice Center and distributed by the Drug Effectiveness Review Project. The HRC recommends a list of drugs that are eligible for inclusion on the PDL to DMAP.
2. DMAP reviews the HRC recommendations and the cost of each of the drugs in the classes and determines which drugs will be listed on the PDL.
3. The updated PDL will go through the usual Oregon Administrative Rules revision process for OAR 410-121-0030 - Practitioner-Managed Prescription Drug Plan starting in February and August for permanent rules in July and January. 

For more information

--For questions about DMAP pharmacy pricing and reimbursement, click here.

--For patient questions about the PDL, click here.

--For prescriber information relating to using the PDL, click here.

--For drug manufacturers who want to propose drugs for consideration on the Plan Drug List, click here.

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