DHS Seeks Docs for Drug Formulary Committee

January 27, 2022

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking applications from practicing physicians to serve on the Minnesota Health Care Program’s Drug Formulary Committee (DFC).  

The DFC functions as a Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (P&T) for Minnesota Health Care Programs, advising the department on drug coverage and utilization management policy. The primary statutory responsibility of the DFC is to advise the department on drugs to be placed under prior authorization. However, the DFC is involved with many other P&T related considerations.  

Meeting discussions include topics such as drug classes included in the preferred drug list (PDL) and specialty drug list, coverage of new drugs, prior authorization criteria, generic substitution, and coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) products. The committee is supported by a DHS staff pharmacist who facilitates the meeting and acts as the meeting secretary.  

There is a $100 stipend and mileage reimbursement for each meeting’s attendance. The requested commitment is three years. The applicant should have a basic knowledge of formulary management and be up-to-date on clinical literature.  

DFC meetings are public and are held two to eight times per year in St. Paul during the evening hours of 5 to 9 PM. DFC meetings have been held virtually during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  

Interested? Contact Dave Hoang, Pharm.D., the DHS clinical pharmacist and DFC ex officio.