Researchers from Cleveland Clinic Discuss Findings in Central Nervous System Agents (Formulary Coverage of Esketamine and Ketamine for Depression In Ohio Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid Plans): Drugs and Therapies – Central Nervous System Agents

2024 MAY 01 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Data detailed on Drugs and Therapies - Central Nervous System Agents have been presented. According to news reporting out of Cleveland, Ohio, by NewsRx editors, the research stated, “For more than 2 decades, intravenous ketamine has been demonstrated to have rapid antidepressant effects. However, access to this generic drug is limited due to insurers claiming it is ‘experimental’ because ketamine does not have a Food and Drug Administration indication for depression.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Cleveland Clinic, “In contrast, intranasal esketamine, an enantiomer of ketamine, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for depression and is still under patent. The goal of this column is to provide a clearer understanding of formulary coverage of these similar medications by insurers. Formularies of all 2023 Ohio Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid plans were reviewed to determine the inclusion status of intravenous ketamine and intranasal esketamine for depression. This review found that intravenous ketamine was not covered by any Marketplace or Medicaid plan for depression, while intranasal esketamine was on 72.7% and 100% of formularies, respectively.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Thus, members of the analyzed insurance plans can more easily access intranasal esketamine than intravenous ketamine for depression, despite the latter being more cost-effective and possibly more efficacious.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Formulary Coverage of Esketamine and Ketamine for Depression In Ohio Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid Plans. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 2024;30(2):130-133. Journal of Psychiatric Practice can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. (Lippincott Williams and Wilkins - www.lww.com; Journal of Psychiatric Practice - http://journals.lww.com/practicalpsychiatry/pages/default.aspx)

Our news journalists report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Brian S. Barnett, Cleveland Clinic, Neurological Institute, Center for Behavioral Health, Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychology, 1730 W 25TH St, Cleveland, OH 44113, United States.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1097/pra.0000000000000766. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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