New Generic Medications to Watch in Workers’ Compensation
Several brand-name medications have recently become available as generic alternatives, creating potential opportunities for cost savings. While many of these medications are not commonly prescribed in workers’ compensation, they may still appear in claims involving chronic or pre-existing conditions.
Recent generic launches include medications used to treat:
- Type 2 diabetes: sitagliptin (Januvia), sitagliptin/metformin (Janumet), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), and dapagliflozin/metformin extended release (Xigduo XR)
- Fibromyalgia: milnacipran (Savella)
- Pseudobulbar affect: dextromethorphan/quinidine (Nuedexta)
Looking ahead, several additional generic medications are expected to become available during the second half of 2026. These include:
- Tofacitinib (Xeljanz): used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and ulcerative colitis
- Vortioxetine (Trintellix): used to treat major depressive disorder
- Omlyclo (biosimilar to Xolair): used for asthma, chronic hives, certain food allergies, and chronic rhinosinusitis
As generic medications continue to enter the market, claims professionals should stay informed about these changes. Increased availability of lower-cost alternatives may help reduce prescription costs while maintaining effective treatment options for injured workers when clinically appropriate.
