Phil Walls | sdworkcompsummit

Medical Marijuana:

Unidentified Risk Factors in the Management of a Chronic Pain Patient

Not only are more and more states approving marijuana for both medical and recreational use, but the FDA continues to review and approve medications derived from marijuana. Are these medications all the same, or are there inherent risks associated with the use of one over the other? In this session, a clinical pharmacist will assess the potential risks associated with medical marijuana. The discussion will then expand to understand whether or not marijuana has a role in the management of chronic pain or as a replacement for opioids. Other potential uses for medical cannabis will also be examined versus the risk this drug creates.

Go Back to Agenda

Phil Walls, RPh

Chief Clinical Officer - myMatrixx, an Express Scripts Company

Phil Walls is the Chief Clinical Officer for myMatrixx®, a leading workers’ compensation pharmacy benefit management firm. Phil oversees all aspects of myMatrixx’s clinical program including formulary management, drug regimen reviews and targeted intervention with prescribing physicians. Phil has been instrumental in developing myMatrixx’s clinical program, Get Ahead of the Claim™, designed to mitigate risk early in the claim process and provide positive outcomes for injured workers while reducing costs for clients. Phil is a clinical pharmacist with over 35 years of experience in pharmacy benefit management and workers’ compensation. Phil has expertise in pain management, side effects of medications, managing overutilization, and drug abuse. He is a published author and frequent speaker on clinical topics in workers’ compensation. Phil was named CompPharma’s 2015 Person of the Year and received a 2011 Dorland Health People award, honoring outstanding healthcare professionals. Phil received his Bachelor of Science from Mercer University School of Pharmacy.

Phil Walls is the Chief Clinical Officer for myMatrixx®, a leading workers’ compensation pharmacy benefit management firm. Phil is the architect of the myMatrixx pharmacosurveillance program and oversees all aspects of myMatrixx’s clinical program including formulary management, drug regimen reviews and targeted intervention with prescribing physicians. Phil has been instrumental in developing myMatrixx’s clinical program, Get Ahead of the Claim™, designed to mitigate risk early in the claim process and provide positive outcomes for injured workers while reducing costs for clients. Phil is a clinical pharmacist with over 40 years of experience in pharmacy benefit management and workers’ compensation. Phil has expertise in pain management, side effects of medications, managing overutilization, and drug abuse. He is a published author and frequent speaker on clinical topics in workers’ compensation. Phil was named CompPharma’s 2015 Person of the Year and received a 2011 Dorland Health People award, honoring outstanding healthcare professionals. Phil received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Mercer University School of Pharmacy.