Lyrica Generic Approval May Reduce WC Pharmacy Spend

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompenstion.com) – Several pharmacies have been granted government approval for generic versions of the pain drug Lyrica. The Food and Drug Administration made the announcement, much to the delight of workers’ compensation stakeholders.

“This one is big,” said myMatrixx. “Lyrica is routinely among one of the highest spend medications in workers’ comp. As more and more manufacturers receive full approval for their generics, the competition should provide substantial cost benefits.”

Lyrica, or pregabalin, is a non-opioid medication approved for pain and seizures. Specifically, it is used to manage fibromyalgia, to treat neuropathic pain related to diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia and spinal cord injury, and as an adjunctive treatment for partial onset seizures.

The dosage forms available are 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg, 225mg, and 300mg capsules. The drug may be seen in retail pharmacies within days.

Workers’ compensation stakeholders have been awaiting the release of generic versions of the drug, as the patent for the brand-name expired last month. Patents on Lyrica Oral Solution have also ended and generics should be approved soon, according to myMatrixx.

"Today's approval of the first generics for pregabalin, a widely used medication, is another example of the FDA's longstanding commitment to advance patient access to lower cost, high-quality generic medicines," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "The FDA requires that generic drugs meet rigorous scientific and quality standards.”

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