Medicare wants insurers to monitor suspicious prescribing of laughing drug Nuedexta

For years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has been hearing concerns that laughing drug Nuedexta was being aggressively pushed by maker Avenair Pharmaceuticals and some doctors for questionable use on dementia patients. Now, the CMS is asking insurers to be on alert for that kind of suspicious prescribing pattern and to let the agency know ASAP if it has concerns. The drug alert, first reported on by CNN, said that CMS is “monitoring the increased utilization of the drug Nuedexta” after allegations of potential use “for non-medically accepted indications.”It reminds Medicare Part D plan sponsors they have a responsibility to ensure that drugs “are only covered when used for a medically-accepted indication.” Avanir, in a statement, told CNN that it "is committed to the safe, effective use of Nuedexta for the treatment of patients with PBA." The company claims its promotional materials, are reviewed both internally and by the FDA.