The Growing Trend of Prior Authorization for Oral Cancer Drugs

The use of oral cancer drugs requiring prior authorization on Medicare Part D formularies has increased over the past decade, particularly for non-specialty brand drugs. The number of formularies and unique drug-dose-formulary combinations has also risen significantly. The proportion of drug-dose-formulary combinations requiring prior authorization has increased for specialty brand drugs, non-specialty brand drugs, and non-specialty generic drugs. The study highlights the need to evaluate the appropriateness of prior authorization for highly effective first-line drugs.