• CADTH has made an amendment to their HTA Rapid Review: Portable Monitoring Devices for Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea at Home: Review of Accuracy, Cost-Effectiveness, Guidelines, and Coverage in Canada.
• CADTH has released CDR Update Issue 67. Highlights include CEDAC Announcements and CEDAC Recommendations.
• CADTH has released COMPUS Communiqué Volume 5, Number 7. Highlights include Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose: New Tools to Support Recommendations.
• CADTH has released COMPUS Communiqué Volume 5, Number 5. Highlights include Final Reports on Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose Now Available.
• CADTH has released COMPUS Communiqué Volume 5, Number 6. Highlights include Executive Summary for Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose.
• CADTH has released Technology Report Issue 122: Long-Acting Beta2-Agonist and Inhaled Corticosteroid Combination Therapy for Adult Persistent Asthma: Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes and Economic Evaluation.
• CADTH has released an HTA Discussion Paper: Reassesment of Health Technologies: Obsolescence and Waste.
• CADTH has released Health Technology Update Issue 12. Highlights include Informing Decision-Makers About Emerging Medical Technologies, Policies, Practices and Research.
• CADTH has released a Health Technology Assessment Rapid Review: Portable Monitoring Devices for Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea at Home: Review of Accuracy, Cost-Effectiveness, Guidelines, and Coverage in Canada.
• CADTH has released CDR Update Issue 63. Highlights include Consultations on Patient Input.
• CADTH has released CDR Update Issue 64 . Highlights include Fixed Dose Combinations – Consultation.
• CADTH has released CDR Update Issue 62. Highlights include New Pilot Project: Subsequent Entry Biologics – Effective Immediately.
• CADTH has released HTA Rapid Review: Fecal Immunochemical Testing in Colorectal Cancer Screening of Average Risk Individuals: Economic Evaluation.
• CADTH has released a Health Technology Assessment: Development and Testing of Search Filters to Identify Economic Evaluations in MEDLINE and EMBASE.
• CADTH has released HTA Rapid Review: Radioimmunotherapies for Non-Hodgkin Lymphona: Systematic Review of Clinical Effectiveness, Cost-Effectiveness and Guidelines.
• CADTH has released CDR Update Issue 61. Highlights include CEDAC Recommendations and Personnel News.
• CADTH has released HTA Rapid Review: TomoTherapy, Gamma Knife, and CyberKnife Therapies for Patients with Tumours of the Lung, Central Nervous System, or Intra-abdomen: A Systematic Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness.
• CADTH has released Issues in Emerging Health Technologies Issue 115: Laparoscopic Diaphragm Pacing for Tetraplegia.
• CADTH has released HTA Rapid Review: Fecal Immunochemical Tests for Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review of Accuracy and Compliance.
• CADTH has released HTA Rapid Review: Computed Tomography for Pediatric Patients: Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Indications for Use.
• CADTH has released CDR Update Issue 58. Highlights include: Important Clarification of CDR Submission Guidelines – Type of Economic Analysis to be Submitted.
• CADTH has released a Health Technology Assessment Rapid Review: Dabigatran or Rivaroxaban Versus Other Anticoagulants for Thromboprophylaxis After Major Orthopedic Surgery: Systematic Review of Comparative Clinical-Effectiveness and Safety.
• CADTH has released COMPUS Communiqué Volume 5 Number 2. Highlights of this edition include: Announcement of COMPUS’ Next Topic in Diabetes Management and an upcoming webinar on Insulin Analogues on June 18 or 23.
• The Canadian Agency
for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)
has released the CDR Update -
Issue 56 , dated February 5, 2009.
The update announces:
Correction to the
Information in the Ambrisentan (Volibris)
CEDAC Final Recommendation and
Reasons for Recommendation Document
• The Canadian Agency
for Drugs and Technologies in Health has
released: Technology Report
Issue 116: Anticonvulsants,
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake
Inhibitors and Tricyclic Antidepressants
in Management of Neuropathic Pain: A
Meta-Analysis and Economic Evaluation.
• CADTH has also
released COMPUS Communiqué
Volume 4, Number 12. Highlights of
this issue include Final Reports on
Insulin Analogues and Upcoming
Consultations on the Blood Glucose Test
Strips Topic.
•
The Canadian Agency for Drugs and
Technologies in Health has released
COMPUS Communiqué
Volume 4, Number 10 which has a Call
for Input on Gaps and Key Messages and
Draft Optimal Therapy Recommendations
for the Prescribing and Use of Insulin
Analogues.
• The COMPUS program has released
COMPUS Communiqué Volume 3,
Number 11. This issue highlights the Proton Pump Inhibitor
Project as well as introduces a new Acting Director of
Interventions and Outreach.• COMPUS: The
COMPUS Programs has released COMPUS
Communiqué
Volume 3, Number 10. This issue
highlights the Proton Pump Inhibitor
Project as well as the Diabetes
Management Project.
• COMPUS: The
Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing
and Utilization Service (COMPUS) have released
COMPUS Communiqué Volume 3, Number 9.
In this issue they invite stakeholders to
provide general feedback on the physician
self-audit tool.
• NPDUIS: The
National Prescription Drug Utilization Information
System (NPDUIS) has released a
New Drug Pipeline Monitor. This is a
new web-based publication that summarizes
information on new drugs that are expected
to be launched in Canada within the next
two to five years and could potentially
have a significant impact on F/P/T drug
plan expenditures.
• COMPUS:
The Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing
and Utilization Service (COMPUS) have released
Communiqué Newsletter Volume 3, Number 5.
In this edition they’ve released Optimal
Therapy Reports on Proton Pump Inhibitors
(PPIs) relating to the economic component
of the PPI project. They’ve also release
Communiqué Newsletter Volume 3, Number 6
which contains a series of evidence-based
Intervention
Tools regarding the prescribing and use
of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
• COMPUS:
The Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing
and Utilization Service (COMPUS) have released
a Communiqué Newsletter on March 30, 2007.
In this edition they’ve released
Optimal Therapy Reports on Proton Pump Inhibitors
(PPIs) relating to the clinical component
of the PPI project.
• RTI
Health Solutions Expands with New Office
in Barcelona
RTI Health Solutions (RTI-HS)
is expanding its international operations
by opening an office in Barcelona, Spain
- the new office is scheduled to open in
June, 2007. Joining the Manchester, UK and
Ottawa, Canada offices, the Barcelona office
will be RTI-HS’ third office outside of
the US. RTI-HS is headquartered in Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina. For more
information see the
news release.
• COMPUS: The Canadian Optimal
Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service
(COMPUS) have released a
Communiqué Newsletter on February 19,
2007. In this edition they encourage feedback
and comments on three draft economic reports
they’ve released as part of the COMPUS review
of proton pump inhibitors. They’ve also
release a
Communiqué Newsletter on February 28,
2007. In this edition they introduce the
New Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing
and Utilization Service Expert Review Committee
(CERC).
• COMPUS: The Canadian Optimal
Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service
(COMPUS) released their latest
Communiqué Newsletter on January 8.
In this edition they’ve initiated work on
their diabetes management project in which
they invite stakeholders to provide randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) that are not included
in the list of studies posted on their website.
• COMPUS: The Canadian Optimal
Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service
(COMPUS) released their latest
Communiqué Newsletter on December 20.
In this edition they’ve extended their deadline
for feedback on their consultation document:
Gap Analysis Report for the Prescribing
and Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
(Draft) to January 5, 2007. They’ve also
extended their deadline for feedback on:
Scientific Report – Evidence for PPI Use
in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Dyspepsia
and Peptic Ulcer Disease (Draft) to January
17, 2007.
Palmer D’Angelo Consulting Inc. joins
RTP-Based RTI Health Solutions
RTI Health Solutions expands to Canada
– RTI-HS to become RTI-HS’ centre for global
pricing & reimbursement
We, at Palmer D’Angelo Consulting Inc.(RTI-HS),
are pleased to announce that we have joined
RTI Health
Solutions (RTI-HS), a business unit
of RTI International based in Research Triangle
Park, North Carolina.
By joining RTI-Health Solutions we will
be able to provide our clients with access
to RTI-HS’ leading expertise in:
Health Economics
Health Outcomes Research
Psychometrics
Epidemiology and Pharmacovigilance
Biostatistics
RTI-HS’s Ottawa office will be the base
for RTI-Health Solutions’ Canadian operations
and will also serve as the centre for global
pricing and reimbursement services. We look
forward to continuing to collaborate with
our clients offering leading capabilities
and services including:
Canadian PMPRB/Pricing Servicess
Market Access/Reimbursement Services
International Pricing & Reimbursement
C-MAP Solutions
We are excited to have the opportunity
to join RTI Health Solutions. Our clients
will benefit from RTI-HS’ global experience
in health economics and outcomes research.
For the latest developments, visit our website
or do not hesitate to contact us:
Neil Palmer
Principal Consultant & Co-founder
Neil.Palmer@pdci.ca
613-742-8225 ext 25
Janice D’Angelo
Principal Consultant & Co-founder
Janice.Dangelo@pdci.ca
613-742-8225 ext 22
• COMPUS: The Canadian Optimal
Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service
(COMPUS) released their latest
Communiqué Newsletter on December 6.
In this edition they invite interested stakeholders
to provide feedback and comments on their
consultation document: Gap Analysis Report
for the Prescribing and Use of Proton Pump
Inhibitors (PPIs).
• CIHI: According to figures released
today by the
Canadian Institute for Health Information
(CIHI), total health care spending in
Canada will increase by 5.8% in 2006 over
the previous year. This figure is expected
to reach $148 billion in 2006, an increase
of $8 billion over last year.
• The Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing
and Utilization Service (COMPUS) released
their latest Communiqué Newsletter on November
9. This most recent edition announces Health
Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
Program as a new voting member to the COMPUS
Advisory Committee. Susan Pierce will be
the NIHB representative. For more information,
see the
COMPUS website.
• CIHI Update: According to the
most recent report released by the Canadian
Institute for Health Information (CIHI),
provincial and territorial government spending
on health care is expected to increase by
5.7% in 2006 - 07.
The Preliminary Provincial and Territorial
Government Health Expenditures Estimates,
1974 - 1975 to 2006 - 2007, details
an expected $96.0 billion in spending in
2006-07, up from the 2005-06 estimate of
$90.9 billion. However, the report also
revealed that the estimated annual increase
in spending for 2006-07 (5.7%) was slightly
lower than 2005-06 (6.5%). Among the spending
categories, drug expenditures were found
to have the most significant gain in share
at 8.5%.
• COMPUS: The Canadian Optimal
Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service
(COMPUS) released their latest Communiqué
Newsletter on October 13. This most recent
edition has a project update on Proton Pump
Inhibitors. For more information, see the
COMPUS
website.
• COMPUS: The Canadian Optimal
Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service
(COMPUS) released their latest Communiqué
Newsletter on September 25th. This most
recent edition announced that Lucie Robitaille,
Director General of the Conseil du médicament,
will serve as an observer member to the
COMPUS Advisory Committee (CAC). This issue
also has a project update on Proton Pump
Inhibitors. For more information, see the
COMPUS
website.
• National Pharmaceutical Strategy
Progress Report: The National Pharmaceuticals
Strategy (NPS) has released its
progress report dated June 2006.
• Rx & D Statement on National Pharmaceutical
Strategy Progress Report: Canada’s Research
Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) has
released a statement on the
National Pharmaceutical Strategy Progress
Report.
• Rx&D Statement on Ontario’s Bill
102: Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical
Companies (Rx&D) has issued a statement
on August 23rd, 2006:
Ontario’s Bill 102 - An Urgent Call
for Changes Before Implementation
• CIHI Update: Based in part on
data provided by CIHI, the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) has released data comparing health
financing in 30 countries. Perhaps the most
notable difference in financing was noted
in the private insurance sector, where it
represented 13% of Canada’s spending vs.
the average 6% in all OECD countries. A
summary of the full report is available
on
CIHI’s website.
• Rx & D News Release: Canada’s
Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies
(Rx & D) has
released a submission to the Standing
Committee on Social Policy, Legislative
Assembly of Ontario on Bill 102.
• NPS Update: During their Ottawa
Stakeholder Information Session (May 25-26),
the co-chairs of the National Pharmaceuticals
Strategy (NPS) spoke with various industry
representatives on progress to date and
key priority areas. At the top of
the priority list was Catastrophic Drug
Coverage, a key element that is expected
in the progress report to the First Ministers
next month. Other elements expected
in the June report include:
Priority Area
June 2006 Expected Achievements
Catastrophic Drug Coverage
Principles and options development
Expensive Drugs for Rare Diseases
Strategy to advance work
Common Drug Formulary
Approach to a common formulary
focusing on the expansion of
the CDP process
Real World Drug Safety & Effectiveness
Analysis of opportunities and
identification of current and
future work to harness and build
on existing research capacity
Drug Pricing & Purchasing
Generic price monitoring report
and options for further Pricing
and Purchasing Strategy work
This information session and others being
held across Canada this month represent
the first avenues for stakeholder involvement
in the NPS initiative. The co-chairs
indicated that future developments will
seek to increase stakeholder engagement,
although the level and timing of involvement
is not yet known.
•
CIHI report on Drug Spending in Canada:
The Canadian Institute for Health Information
(CIHI) annual report released on May 10th
stated that total spending on drugs in Canada
is estimated to have reached $24.8 billion
in 2005, an increase of 11% over the previous
year. This report examined drug spending
in Canada over the last 20 years. The estimated
total drug expenditure per person in Canada
for 2005 was $770, an increase of 10.2%
over the previous year.
More information is available here.
• NPDUIS Update: The Pharmaceutical
Trends Overview Report, 1997-1998 to 2003-2004
has been approved for publication and will
be available through the PMPRB’s
website in the near future. Some
of the early findings of the analysis include:
Increases in public expenditure
are largely due to increases in utilization
– not price
A higher proportion of drug expenditures
are due to the use of branded drugs
Branded drug spending is growing
at a faster rate than generic spending
The top therapeutic groups contributing
to increased drug expenditures are:
drugs for acid-related disorders, serum
lipid lowering agents, psychoanaleptics
and agents acting on the renin-angiotensin
system
• COMPUS Update: The Canadian
Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization
Service (COMPUS) released their latest Communiqué
Newsletter on March 24th. This most recent
edition announced the departure of Barbara
Wells, former COMPUS Director, from CCOHTA.
Ms. Wells will be pursuing independent consulting.
COMPUS also announced a new format and extended
deadlines for industry feedback on its consultation
document: Summary of Findings on the Prescribing
and Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors. For more
information, see the COMPUS
website.
•
NPS Update: In February, the University
of British Columbia‘s
Centre for Health Services and Policy Research
(CHSPR) held its 18th annual Health
Policy Conference. This year’s theme, “Towards
a National Pharmaceuticals Strategy”, focused
on the challenges ahead in developing the
Canadian National Pharmaceuticals Strategy,
a component of the First Ministers’ “10-Year
Plan to Strengthen Health Care”. Speakers
at the conference discussed various topics,
ranging from the current challenges within
Canada’s system, to international examples
of national pharmaceutical programs. The
presentation slides are post abstracts are
now available
online.
•
Canadian Prescription Drug Purchases
Report: IMS Health has recently released
a report stating that prescription drug
purchases by Canadian Hospitals and retail
pharmacies were $16.57 billion in 2005,
up 7.3% from 2004.
The full report is available here.
•
COMPUS Update: The latest
Communiqué newsletter from the Canadian
Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization
System (COMPUS) was published on March 7th.
In this issue, COMPUS invites stakeholders
to provide feedback on the “Prescribing
and Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors” interim
report using an
electronic feedback form. Responses
should be submitted by March 31st, 2006.
•
Rx&D Innovation Report: Rx&D, Canada’s
Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies,
has issued a submission to the Standing
Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
Ontario entitled “Say
Yes to Innovation”.
•
COMPUS Update: The Canadian Optimal
Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service
(COMPUS)
has recently released their finalized procedures
for preparing Evidence-Based Best Practice
Recommendations. These procedures outline
the steps COMPUS will take to collect, evaluate,
and identify best practices for health care
providers and consumers. The accompanying
Evaluation Tools used to identify best practices
were also published. Both guidelines were
established through consultations with both
stakeholders and relevant experts. The
procedures and
tools can be viewed on the COMPUS website.
•
OECD Releases New Report
The Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD) has
released a new report entitled
Health at a Glance—OECD Indicators 2005
which presents comparative data on four
key dimensions: health status, health care
resources and their utilization, health
expenditure (including pharmaceuticals)
and non-medical determinants of health.
•
Health Canada Launches NOC Database
Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh
recently announced the launch of a new bilingual
database that will allow Canadians to search
for all drugs authorized for sale in Canada
since 1994. The database will provide users
with information such as a drug's full name,
the date it was authorized, the active/medicinal
ingredient, the manufacturer, the therapeutic
class of the drug, and the Drug Identification
Number. The database will be updated daily
and is
available here.
•
Health Minister Begins Internet Pharmacy
Consultations
Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh has started
public consultations on proposed measures
to protect Canadians' access to safe and
affordable prescription drugs in the face
of Internet pharmacy exports to the U.S.
The proposed three measures include:
Establishing a drug supply network
to provide Health Canada with more comprehensive
data on Canada's drug supply;
Proceeding with drafting legislative
and regulatory amendments to the Food
and Drugs Act and its Regulations to
provide new authority to allow the Minister
to restrict the export of drugs necessary
to protect human health deemed to be
in actual or potential shortage;
Strengthening existing federal regulations
to require that prescription drugs be
sold pursuant to a prescription issued
within an established patient-practitioner
relationship.
National consultations are taking place
from October 6, 2005 to November 7,
2005. More details can be found
here.
• CIHI Report – Financing Canada’s
Health System: The Canadian Institute
for Health Information (CIHI) released a
new report dated September 28th 2005, entitled
Exploring the 70/30 Split: How Canada’s
Health System Is Financed. The report
discusses how countries with a large percentage
of public-sector health care funding often
differ in the types of coverage they offer.
The document states that Canada’s public
sector funds most hospital and physician
services while other countries publicly
fund a larger portion of drugs and dental
services. For more details visit the
CIHI website.
• Rx&D Press Releases: Canada’s
Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies
(Rx&D) has issued a
press release on pharmaceutical innovation
in Quebec and an editorial on the proposed
creation of a National Pharmaceutical Strategy.
•
Health Canada has issued a
news release June 30th, 2005 by the
Health Minister Dosanjh announcing a federal
strategy to protect Canadians' supply of
safe and affordable prescription drugs.
•
Rx&D Opinion on Innovation and Drug Safety:
Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical
Companies’ president Russell Williams has
issued an
editorial on Canada at crossroads as
a world leader in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical
innovation.
•
CIHI Drug Spending Report 1985-2004:
The Canadian Institute for Health Information
(CIHI) released a report detailing Canadian
spending on prescription and non-prescription
drugs on April 5th. The report, entitled
Drug Expenditure in Canada, 1985-2004,
examines drug expenditure trends since 1985
across the provinces in areas such as:
Drugs as a component of health care
spending
Total drug expenditure per capita
Drugs as a component of hospital
spending
Public vs. private drug spending
The report also contrasts drug spending
in Canada to other publicly funded health
care systems in the international landscape.
• Rx & D Press Release on Smart Regulation:
Canada’s Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies
(Rx&D) has issued a
press release dated March 24th, 2005
in support of the federal government’s plan
to renew Canada’s regulatory system.
• Canadian Retail Prescriptions Growth
Slows in 2004
IMS Health's annual review of prescribing
and diagnoses trends reveals the number
of retail prescriptions in Canada grew 5.6%
in 2004, the lowest growth since 1998. Last
year, Canadians filled over 382 million
prescriptions at their retail pharmacies
worth $17.3 billion Canadian, up 8.9% from
2003, a dollar-growth well below the double-digit
increases for each year from 1998 to 2003.
Gary Fabian, Vice-President of IMS Health
says “If we look closely at what has slowed
growth in 2004, we see a decreased rate
at which new medications are entering the
market. Of the 24 new molecular entities
approved for sale by Health Canada in 2004,
only 10 were launched that same year". Only
42% of medications approved for sale in
Canada last year actually made it to market,
representing one of the lowest percentages
in recent years. Also contributing to the
slower dollar growth is the genericization
of some of Canada's leading medications
and safety concerns have affected some of
Canada's leading prescribed classes.
Source:CNW Group March 7, 2005
• Purchases by Cross-Border Internet
Pharmacies Decrease in 2004
In 2004, sales of drugs into Canadian
internet pharmacies remained relatively
flat at $583 million, compared to 2003.
Except for the first three months of 2004,
IMS Health shows cross-border sales into
internet pharmacies decreasing between 5%
and 11% in each quarter since April 2004.
Manitoba accounts for 39% of cross-border
internet pharmacy sales in Canada. Mark
Maciw, IMS Health's Senior Director of Supplier
Relations, explains the factors resulting
in the flat sales: "To begin, several brand-name
pharmaceutical manufacturers have restricted
the supply of drugs to pharmacies selling
into the U.S. "Next, the proportion of generic
medications being sold through cross-border
internet pharmacies has increased; because
they are less expensive,generics have brought
down sales volumes. And lastly, the rising
Canadian dollar has made purchasing Canadian
drugs less advantageous for Americans."
• A report on the 2003 First Ministers'
Accord on Health Care Renewal was issued
February 5th, 2003 which included the announcement
of a new health reform fund to ensure that
Canadians, wherever they live, have reasonable
access to catastrophic drug coverage. The
First Ministers agreed to take measures
to achieve this goal by June, 2005.
Click here for more information.
• Study finds generic drugs are more
expensive in Canada than in the US.
Most top selling generic drugs are more
expensive in Canada than in the United States
according to the findings of a study conducted
by RTI Health Solutions
The study examined the prices of top-selling
generic drugs in Canada and the United States
and found that most top selling generic
drugs—21 of 27—are more expensive in Canada.
In many cases, the price differences were
significant...
The press release is available in
English
and in French.
•The Commission on the Future
of Health Care in Canada has released the
first three of a series of nine discussion/survey
papers on key healthcare topics. The
discussion/survey papers are posted on the
Commission’s web site (www.healthcarecommission.ca)
and are intended to contribute to informed
debate and to solicit public and stakeholder
input on some of Canada’s most challenging
health issues.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-019 has been released. Highlights include an Interim Agreement Update between BC Pharmacy Association and the government of BC.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 10-001 has been released. Highlights include Proton Pump Inhibitors – Expanded Coverage.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-016 has been released. Highlights include New Limited Coverage Benefits and Criteria Changes.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-017 has been released. Highlights include Olanzapine – Specific Products no Longer Eligible for PharmaCare Coverage.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-018 has been released. Highlights include Flu Clinic Locator Website.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-014 has been released. Highlights include Prosthetic & Orthotic Program – Breast Prostheses and Supplies Policy Clarification.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-015 has been released. Highlights include H1N1 Flu Virus Information - Update #1 Antivirals & Vaccinations.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-011 has been released. Highlights include Exchange Rate for the Prosthetic and Orthotic Program.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-012 has also been released. Highlights include H1N1 Flu Virus – Antiviral Treatment & Distribution Plans.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-013 has also been released. Highlights include Lost Cost Alternative (LCA) / Reference Drug Program (RDP) Booklet Changes.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-009 which highlights Frequency of Dispensing-Pharmanet Solution Details has been released.
• BC PharmaCare Newsletter Edition 09-008 which highlights PharmaNet Changes for Frequency of Dispensing – Progress Report has been released.
• BC Pharmacare Newsletter Edition 09-007 which highlights coverage of ziprasidone (Zeldox®) has been released. Edition 09-006 of the Newsletter had also been released which highlights Implementation of the Frequency of Dispensing Transition Strategy
• B.C. PharmaCare
has issued the latest BC PharmaCare
Newsletter,
Edition 09-002 , dated January
30, 2009. The Newsletter announces
the following:
Frequency of
Dispensing Policy (and Qs & As)
Clinical Services
Fees (updates and clarifications)
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest BC PharmaCare
Newsletter, Edition 08-004, dated April 24, 2008. The Newsletter
announces the following:
Special Services fees;
As of May 1, 2008, PharmaCare will cover out-of-province
travel supplies of medication;
An update on the Alzheimer’s Drug Therapy Initiative (ADTI)
is provided; and
A reminder for methadone claims.
•B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest BC
PharmaCare Newsletter,
Edition 08-003, dated March 26, 2008.
The Newsletter announces the expanded
coverage of drug treatments for chronic
Hepatitis B by the Pharmaceutical Services
Division. As of March 27, 2008, the
PharmaCare program will provide new Special
Authorization coverage for Hepsera and
Baraclude, and extended Special
Authorization coverage for Heptovir and
Intron A, for
Hepatitis B patients who meet the
eligibility criteria.
•B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest BC
PharmaCare Newsletter,
Edition 08-002, dated March 20, 2008. The
Newsletter announces that, as of March 14, 2008,
biologics for
ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis
will be available as Limited Coverage Drugs
through the PharmaCare Special Authority
Program. The PharmaCare program will provide
Special Authorization coverage for Humira,
Enbrel and Remicade for patients with ankylosing
spondylitis who meet the eligibility criteria.
In addition, Special Authority coverage for
Remicade will also be available for patients
with psoriatic arthritis who meet eligibility
requirements.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest
BC PharmaCare
Newsletter, Edition 07-009,
dated December 7, 2007. Highlights of the
newsletter are provided below. Please refer to
the link provided above for all news contained
in the newsletter.
Benefits (for Plans B, C, F, Fair PharmaCare
and G): Humalog Mix 50 100U/mL cartridge,
Novomix 30 100UmL. Benefits (for Plans C, F and
Fair PharmaCare): Life Brand blood glucose
strips. Limited Coverage Program (by Special
Authority only, for Plans B, C, F and Fair PharmaCare): Humira 40mg/0.8mL for the treatment
of psoriatic arthritis. Non-Benefits: Ezetimibe
10mg tab.
• BC Ministry of Health has announced
that a
nine-member pharmaceutical task force
has been established to provide advice
to the BC government on how to:
Achieve and maximize value for
patients in procuring
pharmaceuticals;
Identify and strengthen patient
care and choice;
Optimize the decision-making
process for what drugs are covered
under PharmaCare;
Improve the effectiveness of the
Common Drug Review process; and
Enhance the effectiveness,
transparency and future role of the
Therapeutics Initiative.
The task force has been asked to
provide its advice by January 31, 2008.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the
latest Newsletter, dated October 10,
2007. Among other news, the newsletter
announces changes to retroactive
reimbursement under the Fair PharmaCare
Plan. Effective January 1, 2008,
PharmaCare will no longer reimburse
prescription or medical supply costs
paid before the date a family registers
for Fair PharmaCare.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest Newsletter,
issue # 07:007, dated October 4, 2007. The newsletter
announces the launch of the new Alzheimer’s Drug Therapy
Initiative (ADTI). According to the Ministry of Health, the
goal of ADTI is to generate and evaluate information on the
safety, effectiveness, and appropriate use of cholinesterase
inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and to
inform future government policy on coverage of these
medications.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest Newsletter,
issue # 07:006,
dated August 30, 2007. The newsletter announces that Tamiflu (oseltamivir
phosphate, 75mg capsule and 12mg/mL oral suspension) will
continue to be an eligible PharmaCare benefit for Plan B only
for the 2007/2008 influenza season.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest
Newsletter, issue # 07:005, dated August 2, 2007.
Revised LCA Categories
(effective September 4, 2007): Fenofibrate FC 160mg tab,
Fenofibrate 145mg tab, Fenofibrate 48mg tab. New Drugs
Categorized to LCA and/or RDP: Novo-Ramipril 1.25mg,
2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg caps, PMS-Leflunomide 10mg, 20mg tabs, PMS-Levetiracetam
250mg, 500mg, 750mg tabs, Ran-Pravastatin 10mg, 20mg, 40mg
tabs. Benefits (for Plans B, C, F, I and P): Alvesco
100mcg, 200mcg metered dose inh. New Brand Drugs
Categorized to LCA: Lipidil EZ 48mg tab, Lipidil EZ
145mg tab, DDAVP Melt 60mcg, 120mcg oral disintegrating
tabs. Limited Coverage: Avandamet 1mg/500mg,
2mg/500mg, 4mg/500mg, 2mg/1000mg, 4mg/1000mg tabs, Diovan
40mg, 320mg tabs, Lantus 100IU/mL vial, Lantus 100IU/mL
cartridge, Spiriva 18mcg caps for inh, Vfend 50mg, 200mg
tabs, Vfend 200mg intravenous infusion. Non-Benefits:
Apo-Cefprozil 250mg, 500mg tabs, Apo-Fluticasone 50mcg
metered dose nas spr, Ran-Cefprozil 250mg, 500mg tabs, Ran-Cefprozil
250mg/5mL pwd for oral susp, Ratio-Fluticasone 50mcg metered
dose nas spr, Aclasta 5mg/100mL sol for intravenous
infusion, Azilect 0.5mg, 1.0mg tabs, Denavir 1% top crm.
• BC Health Minister George Abbott has
announced
that as of August 1, 2007, physicians in British Columbia
can apply for Special Authority coverage of Lantus (insulin
glargine) for patients who meet the eligibility criteria
through the PharmaCare Program.
• BC Health Minister George Abbott has
announced
that coverage for the medications Sutent (sunitinib) and
Nexavar (sorafenib) is now available for patients with
advanced kidney cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumours
in British Columbia. These eligible patients will be the
first in Canada to benefit from coverage from the
aforementioned drugs. Funding, which will be provided by the
Ministry of Health, the Provincial Health Services Authority
(PHSA) and the BC Cancer Agency, has also been approved for
Caelyx (pegylated liposomal doxorubin), an intravenous
chemotherapy drug for the treatment of advanced ovarian
cancer in women who have failed standard first-line therapy.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued
the latest Newsletter,
issue # 07:004, effective June 6, 2007.
Revised LCA Categories (Price/Benefit
Status Changes, effective immediately):
hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200mg tab.
Revised LCA Categories (Price/Benefit
Status Changes, effective July 9, 2007):
triazolam 0.125mg, 0.25mg tabs. New
Drugs Categorized to LCA and/or RDP:
Apo-Cilazapril 1mg, 2.5mg,
5mg tabs, Apo-Pramipexole 0.25mg, 0.5mg,
1mg, 1.5mg tabs, Apo-Famciclovir 500mg
tab, Co Cilazapril 2.5mg, 5mg tabs,
Co Pravastatin 10mg, 20mg, 40mg tabs,
Co Sertraline 25mg, 50mg, 100mg caps,
PMS Digoxin 0.125mg, 0.25mg tabs, Ran-Citalo
20mg, 40mg tabs, Ratio Omeprazole 20mg
tab, Sandoz Risperidone 0.25mg tab.
New
LCA Categories: ceftriaxone
sodium 1g, 2g vials, desmopressin acetate
0.1mg, 0.2mg tabs, perindopril 8mg tab.
Benefits
(for Plans B, C, F and I):
Alphagan P 0.15% opth sol, Flomax CR
0.4mg CR tab. Benefits
(Plan P): Apo-Famciclovir
125mg, 250mg tabs. Benefits
(Plans C, F and I): Ascensia
Contour, Ascensia Breeze 2. Limited
Coverage: Cosopt Preservative-Free
opth sol, Enbrel 25mg vial, Enbrel 50mg
pre-filled syringe, Trusopt Preservative-Free
2% opth sol. Non-Benefits:
Cipralex 10mg, 20mg tabs,
Vesicare 5mg, 10mg tabs, Novasen 325mg
tab, Gabapentin 300mg cap, Prezista
300mg tab (*HIV/AIDS drug .coverage
is the responsibility of the BC Centre
for Excellence in HIV/AIDS), Nexavar
200mg tab, Sutent 12.5mg, 25mg, 50mg
caps, Vantas 50mg (*Cancer drug coverage
is the responsibility of the BC Cancer
Agency).
Removed from LCA Category:
Depakene 500mg, Ratio-Valproic 500mg.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued
the latest Newsletter,
issue # 07:003, effective May 25, 2007.
The newsletter announces:
changes to the dispensing
of the emergency contraceptive pill
levonorgestrel (Plan B) 0.75mg.
the release of the PharmaCare
Annual Performance Report for 2005,
which supercedes PharmaCare Trends.
The report is available online.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest Newsletter,
issue # 06:013, effective December 27,
2006.
Revised
LCA categories (Price/Benefit Status
Changes): Testosterone Cyprionate
100mg inj. Revised LCA Categories
(Price/Benefit Status Updates):
carbamazepine 100mg chewtab, ranitidine
15mg/mL sol, risperidone 0.25mg, 0.50mg,
1mg, 2mg, 3mg, 4mg tabs, salbutamol
sulfate/ipratropium bromide monohydrate
1.0mg 0.2mg/mL sol, timolol maleate
0.5% sol. New Generic Drugs Categorized
to LCA and/or RDP: Apo-Ranitidine
15mg/mL sol, Gen-Alendronate 70mg tab,
Sandoz Felodipine 5mg, 10mg tabs, Sandoz
Leflunomide 10mg, 20mg tabs. New
Brand Drugs Categorized to RDP:
Altace 15mg cap. New LCA Categories:
betahistine HCL 16mg, 24mg tabs, famciclovir
125mg, 250mg, 500mg tabs, fentanyl 25mcg/h,
50 mcg/h, 75 mcg/h, 100 mcg/h patch.
Limited Coverage: Avalide 300/25mg
tab, Gen-Alendronate 70mg tab, Norprolac
0.075mg, 0.150mg tabs, Pariet 20mg tab,
Prevacid Fastab 30mg DR tab, Rebif Initiation
Pack 6 pre-filled syringes of 8.8mcg/0.2mL
and 6 pre-filled syringes of 22mcg/0.5mL
for inj, Remodulin 1mg/mL, 2.5mg/mL,
5mg/mL sol for subcutaneous inj, Sandoz
Leflunomide10mg, 20mg tabs. Benefits
(for Plans B, C, F, I and P, if indicated):
Linessa tabs, Methotrexate 10mg
tab, PMS-Dexamethasone 2mg tab (Plan
P), iTEST Blood Glucose Strips, Sidekick
Blood Glucose Strips, True Track Blood
Glucose Strips. Benefits (Plan P
only): Sandoz Famciclovir 125mg,
250mg. Non-Benefits: Amevive
15mg vial, Atacand 4mg tab, Detrol LA
2mg, 4mg ER caps, Enablex 7.5mg, 15mg
tabs, Fosavance 70mg/70mcg tab, Hepsera
10mg tab, Levemir 100U/mL cartridge,
Marinol 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg gel caps (for
the treatment of AIDS-related anorexia),
Trosec 20mg coated tab.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest
Newsletters, issues
# 06:011 and
# 06:012, effective November 9, 2006
and November 17, 2006, respectively. A complete
list of formulary additions or changes can
be accessed from the provided link.
•B.C. PharmaCare has issued the
latest
Newsletter, effective April 18, 2006.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the latest
Newsletter, effective April 10, 2006.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the
latest Newsletter, effective January
18, 2006.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued the
latest Newsletter, effective December
21, 2005.
•
B.C. PharmaCare has issued the
latest Newsletter, effective November
7, 2005.
•
B.C. PharmaCarehas issued the
latest Newsletter, effective October
25, 2005.
•
B.C. PharmaCare has issued the
latest Newsletter effective August 15th,
2005.
• BC Pharmacare: 60 days notice for price
increases, new policy in development:
In a letter to manufacturers, BC Pharmacare
has advised that it is drafting a new policy
regarding price increases and that it will
be consulting with manufacturers and other
stakeholders. In the interim, effective
October 15, 2005, manufacturers will be
required to provide 60 days notice before
implementing a price increase.
•
B.C. PharmaCare has issued the
latest Newsletter effective May 18th,
2005.
• B.C. PharmaCare has issued
the
latest Newsletter, #05-002, dated April
7th, 2005. As described in the newsletter,
effective April 1, 2005, the operations
of PharmaCare and Medical Services Plan
(MSP) are being delivered by MAXIMUS BC
under the name Health Insurance BC (HIBC)
(this does not affect PharmaCare’s programs
and benefits, nor the reimbursement submission
process).
• B.C. Pharmacare has also
issued a
newsletter dated May 6th, 2004 which
outlines the use of antidepressants in patients
under 18 years of age and another pharmacare
newsletter dated May 12th, 2004.
Providing faster access to new, innovative drugs and reduce costs.
Expanding the role of pharmacists to better meet the needs of patients.
A comprehensive transition plan, which includes $5 million for rural and remote pharmacies and a transitional allowance for all pharmacies for three years.
• Alberta has the released the DBL Report Issue #54. Products added include: Cymbalta, Fosavance, Olmetec Plus, Stelara, Enablex, Olmetec and Risperdal Consta.
• Alberta has released the DBL Report Issue #53 featuring Highlights of Products Added.
• Alberta has released the DBL Report Update Issue 52: Application of Least Cost Alternative to Gen-Clozapine 25 mg and 100 mg
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Additions to the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List (AHWDBL), effective May 1, 2008.
New Interchangeable Products
Affected by LCA Pricing: Gen-Clarithromycin 500mg tab,
pms-clarithromycin 500mg tab, ratio-Clarithromycin 500mg tab,
Ran-Pantoprazole 40mg EC tab, Novo-Morphine SR 100mg, 200mg SR
tabs. New Single Source Product: Altace HCT 2.5mg/12.5mg,
5mg/12.5mg, 5mg/25mg, 10mg/12.5mg, 10mg/25mg tabs.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Additions to the Alberta Employment and Immigration Drug
Benefit Supplement (AEIDBS), effective May 1, 2008.
New Products Available by Special
Authorization: Neocate Oral Infant Formula oral pd, Nutramigen Oral Infant Formula oral liq, Similac Alimentum With
Iron Oral Infant Formula oral liq.
A complete list of formulary additions or
changes can be accessed from the link
provided above. Below are highlights of the
Summary of Changes to the Alberta Health
and Wellness Drug Benefit List effective
April 1, 2008. A complete list of formulary
additions or changes can be accessed from
the link provided above.
New Drugs
Available by Special Authorization:
Baraclude 0.5mg tab, Hepsera 10mg tab.
Additional Brand(s) and Strength(s) of Drug
Product(s) Available by Special
Authorization: Co Cabergoline 0.5mg tab, Piperacillin Sodium/Tazobactam Sodium
2g/vial (base) * 250mg/vial (base), 3g/vial
(base) * 375mg/vial (base), 4g/vial (base) *
500mg/vial (base) inj. Drug Products with
Changes to Criteria for Coverage:
Pegasys 180mcg/ml inj, Pegasys (0.5ml syr)
180mcg/syr inj syr. Discontinued Special
Authorization Drugs: Panoxyl 15 topical
(alcohol) gel, Retin-A 0.01%, 0.025% top crm,
Vitamin A Acid 0.01%, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%
top crm. Additional Brand(s) and
Strength(s) of Drug Product(s) Available by
Optional Special Authorization: Levaquin
750mg tab. Added Product(s):
Apo-Amoxi Clav 80mg/11.4mg/mL oral susp,
Apo-Lisinopril/HCTZ 10mg/12.5mg tab, Aviane
21 tab, Ciprodex 0.3%/0.1% otic susp, Co
Ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg caps, CTP
30mg tab, Hyzaar 100mg/12.5mg tab, Novo-Citalopram
20mg tab, Novo-Enalapril 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg,
20mg tabs, Novo-Enalapril/HCTZ 5mg/12.5mg,
10mg/25mg tabs, Novo-Rabeprazole 10mg, 20mg
EC tabs, PMS-ISMN 60mg ER tab, PMS-Venlafaxine
XR 37.5mg, 75mg, 150mg ER caps, Sandoz
Omeprazole 10mg, 20mg SR cap, Taro-Enalapril
2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg tabs. Change in
Status from Special Authorization to
Unrestricted: Losec 10mg SR tab.
Deleted Products: Atropine Sulfate
0.4mg/mL, 0.6mg/mL inj, Dicyclomine
Hydrochloride 10mg/mL inj, Frisium 10mg tab,
Glycopyrrolate 0.2mg/mL inj, Sabril 500mg
tab, Sabril 500mg oral sachet.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has
released
Issue # 47 of the DBL Report, dated
April 2008. This issue provides highlights
of new products added, interchangeable
products added February 1, 2008, products
not added, and changes to benefit status.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue # 46 of the DBL Report, dated
January 2008. This issue provides highlights
of new products added, interchangeable
products added and products not added. It
also includes products with Special
Authorization criteria change.
•Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List (AHWDBL), effective November 1, 2007.
Additional Interchangeable
Products Affected by LCA Pricing: Losec 20mg cap, Ratio-Venlafaxine
XR 37.5mg, 75mg, 150mg XR caps. Change in Special
Authorization Criteria: Ketek 400mg tab.
•Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List (AHWDBL), effective October 17, 2007.
•Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List (AHWDBL), effective October 12, 2007.
Interchangeable Products Affected
by New LCA Pricing: ranitidine hcl 150mg, 300mg tabs.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #45 of the DBL Report, dated October 2007. This issue
provides highlights of added new products, Special Authorization
products and interchangeable products. It also includes products
with Special Authorization criteria change and benefit status
change.
Below are highlights of the products added to the DBL. A
complete list of formulary additions or changes can be accessed
from the link for the October 1, 2007 Quarterly Update to the
DBL provided above.
Added Products: Apo--Benazepril 5mg, 10mg tabs, Apo-Cefprozil
25mg/mL, 50mg/mL oral susp, Apo-Cefprozil 250mg tab, Apo-Cilazapril
1mg tab, Apo-Pramipexole 0.25mg, 1mg, 1.5mg tabs, Ceftriaxone
for Injection USP 1g/vial, 2g/vial inj, Duo Trav 0.004% /0.5%
opth sol, Novo-Acyclovir 200mg, 400mg, 800mg tabs, Novo-Atenol
25mg tab, Novo-Fenofibrate-S 100mg, 160mg tabs, Novo-Ramipril
1.25mg, 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg caps, PMS-ASA EC 650mg EC tab, Ran-Cefprozil
250mg, 500mg tabs, Ran-Cefprozil 50mg/mL oral susp, Ran-Pravastatin
10mg, 20mg, 40mg tabs, Ratio-Tamsulosin 0.4mg SR cap, Sandoz
Risperidone 0.25mg tab, Sandoz Tamsulosin 0.4mg SR cap. Change
in Status from Special Authorization to Unrestricted Products: Combigan 0.2% *0.5% (base) opth sol.
Delisted: Famvir 500mg tab,
Herplex-D Liquifilm 0.1% top sol, Miostat 0.01% oph sol, Sandoz
Idouridine 0.1% top sol, Zovirax 5% top oint. Discontinued
Listings: Clavulin-250 (base) tab, Fluotic 20mg EC tab, Ortho-Cept
(21 day) tab, Parlodel 2.5mg tab, Premarin 0.9mg tab, Rocephin
2g/vial inj. Special Authorization: Xalacom 0.005%/0.5% opth
sol. Change in Status from Unrestricted to Special
Authorization: Lumigan 0.03% opth sol, Xalatan 0.005% opth sol.
Drug Products with Changes to Criteria for Coverage: Aranesp
20mcg/0.5mL, 100mcg/mL, 200mcg/mL, 500mcg/mL inj, Enbrel
25mg/vial inj, Enbrel 50mg/vial inj syringe, Eprex
1,000unit/0.5mL, 2,000unit/0.5mL, 5,000unit/0.5mL, 10,000unit/mL,
20,000unit./mL, 40,000unit/mL, 4,000unit/0.4mL, 6,000unit/0.6mL,
8,000unit/0.8mL inj, Ezetrol 10mg tab, Humira 40mg/0.8mL inj
syringe, Kineret 100mg/syr inj, Remicade 100mg/vial inj.
• Alberta
Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL),
effective September 1, 2007.
New Interchangeable Products
Affected by LCA Pricing:
Novo-Olanzapine 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 15mg tabs.
• Alberta has released the DBL Report Update Issue 52: Application of Least Cost Alternative to Gen-Clozapine 25 mg and 100 mg
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List (AHWDBL), effective August 1, 2007 .
Change in Benefit Status:
Celebrex 100mg, 200mg caps
(previously a regular benefit, now under Special
Authorization).
• The July 1st Quarterly Updates to the
Alberta Health and Wellness
Drug Benefit List (DBL) and the Alberta
Employment, Immigration and Industry
Drug Benefit Supplement (DBS), have
been released. Below are highlights of the
products added to the Drug Benefit List.
A complete list of formulary additions or
changes can be accessed from the link for
the July 1st Quarterly Update to the DBL
provided above:
Added Products:
Apo-Cilazapril 2.5mg, 5mg tabs, Apo-Desmopressin
0.1mg, 0.2mg tabs, Apo-Medroxy 10mg
tab, Apo-Ondansetron 4mg, 8mg tabs,
Apo-Perindopril 8mg tab, Co Cilazapril
2.5mg, 5mg tabs, Co Pravastatin 10mg,
20mg, 40mg tabs, Diovan 320mg tab, PMS-Digoxin
0.125mg, 0.25mg tabs, PMS-Pramipexole
0.25mg, 1mg, 1.5mg tabs, Ran-Citralo
20mg, 40mg tabs, Ratio-Bupropion SR
100mg, 150mg SR tabs, Sandoz Fenofibrate
S 100mg, 160mg tabs. Change in Status
from Special Authorization to Unrestricted
Products: Apo-Salvent Sterules 2mg/mL
inh sol, Gen-Salbutamol Sterinebs P.F.
2mg inh sol, Nu-Salbutamol Plastic Ampules
2mg/mL inh sol, PMS-Salbutamol 2mg/mL
inh sol polyneb, Ratio-Salbutamol Sulfate
U.D. P.F. 2mg/mL inh sol, Ventolin Nebules
P.F. 5mg/2.5mL inh sol. Delisted:
Eumovate 0.05% top crm. Limited Restricted
Benefit Drug Product with Changes to
Criteria for Coverage: Plavix 75mg
tab. Additional Brand of Drug Products
Already Available by Special Authorization:
Sandoz Alendronate 10mg, 70mg tabs.
Drug Products with Changes to Criteria
for Special Authorization Coverage:
Enbrel 25mg/vial inj, Enbrel 50mg/mL
inj syr, Humira 40mg/0.8mL inj syr,
Pegasys RBV 200mg tab/180mcg/0.5mL,
200mg tab/180mcg/mL inj kit, Pegetron
200mg cap/50mcg/0.5mL, 200mg cap/80mcg/0.5mL,
200mg cap/100mcg/0.5mL, 200mg cap/120mcg/0.5mL,
200mg cap/150mcg/0.5mL inj kit, Pegetron
200mg cap/80mcg/0.5mL, 200mg cap/100mcg/0.5mL,
200mg cap/120mcg/0.5mL, 200mg cap/150mcg/0.5mL
Redipen inj kit, Plavix 75mg tab.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #44 of the DBL Report, dated July
2007. Please see the list of updates provided
above for the highlights of products added
to the Drug Benefit List.
New Interchangeable Product Affected
by LCA Pricing: Novo-Tamsulosin
0.4mg SR cap.
• The Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (DBL), the Alberta
Human Resources & Employment Drug Benefit
Supplement (AHREDBS) and the Palliative
Care Drug Benefit Supplement (PDCBS)
have been refreshed, effective April
1, 2007.
Alberta Health and Wellness
has released
Issue #43 of the DBL Report, dated April
2007. Below are highlights of the products
added to the Drug Benefit List. A complete
list of formulary additions or changes can
be accessed from the Summary of Changes
link provided below.
Added Products: Apo-Digoxin 0.0325mg,
0.125mg, 0.25mg tabs, Novo-Venlafaxine
XR 37.5mg, 75mg, 150mg ER caps, Sandoz
Bupropion SR 100mg, 150mg SR tabs. Special
Authorization: Cosopt 2%/0.5% opth sol,
Trusopt 2% opth sol, Humira 40mg/0.8mL
inj, Sandoz Cyclosporine 25mg, 50mg
caps. Not Added: Betaseron 0.3mg
inj. Changes in Benefit Status (effective
April 11, 2007): vaginal anti-infective
products, parasympathomimetics and papaverine.
Deleted: Intron A.
New Interchangeable
Products Affected by LCA Pricing:
Sandoz Bupropion SR 100mg, 150mg
SR tabs, Apo-Digoxin 0.0625mg, 0.125mg,
0.25mg tabs, Novo-Pramipexole 0.25mg,
1mg, 1.5mg tabs, Ratio-Ramipril 1.25mg
2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg caps, Novo-Venlafaxine
XR 37.5mg, 75mg, 150mg ER caps.
• The Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List (DBL), the Alberta Human Resources
& Employment Drug Benefit Supplement (AHREDBS)
and the Palliative Care Drug Benefit Supplement
(PDCBS) have been
refreshed, effective January 1, 2007.
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #42 of the DBL Report, dated January
2007. Below are highlights of the products
added to the Drug Benefit List. A complete
list of formulary additions or changes is
provided below under the January 1, 2007
Quarterly update to the DBL.
Added
Products: Avalide 300mg/25mg tabs,
Linessa 21 and 28 day packs, Novo-Betahistine
16mg tab, Pariet 20mg tab, Sandoz Felodipine
5mg, 10mg ER tabs. Special Authorization:
Apo-Midodrine 2.5mg, 5mg tabs, Duragesic
12mcg/hr transdermal patch. MS Drug
Coverage: Rebif Initiation Pack
8.8mcg/0.2mL, 22.0mcg/0.5mL inj ndl.
Not Added: Altace 15mg cap, Biphentin
10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg,
60mg CR caps.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has
released additions to the Alberta Health
and Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL),
effective November 1, 2006.
New Interchangeable
Products Affected by LCA Pricing:
Novo-Betahistine 16mg tab, Sandoz Felodipine
5mg, 10mg ER tabs. Special Authorization:
Ratio-Fentanyl 25mcg/hr, 50mcg/hr,
75mcg/hr, 100mcg/hr transdermal patch,
Trosec 20mg tab.
• The AlbertaHealth and Wellness
Drug Benefit List (DBL) and the Alberta
Human Resources & Employment Drug Benefit
Supplement (AHREDBS) have been
refreshed, effective October 1, 2006.
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #41 of the
DBL Report, dated October 2006.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Human Resources
& Employment Drug Benefit Supplement (AHREDBS),
effective August 21, 2006.
Reinstated products: Kwellada-P
Crème 10mg/mL topical rinse, R & C Shampoo
with Conditioner 0.33% * 3% topical
shampoo.
•Alberta Health and Wellness has releasedadditions
to the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug
Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective August
1, 2006.
•The Alberta Health and Wellness
Drug Benefit List (DBL) and the Alberta
Human Resources & Employment Drug Benefit
Supplement (AHREDBS) have been refreshed,
effective July 1, 2006.
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #40 of the DBL Report, dated July
2006.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective
June 1, 2006.
New interchangeable
product: apo-omeprazole 20mg oral
caps. New interchangeable grouping
affected by LCA pricing: omeprazole
20mg oral caps/sustained release tabs.
• The Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (DBL), the Alberta
Human Resources & Employment Drug Benefit
Supplement (AHREDBS) and the Palliative
Care Drug Benefit Supplement (PCDBS)
have all been updated, effective April
1, 2006.
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #39 of the Drug Benefit List Report,
dated April 2006.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective
March 1, 2006.
Also, the Alberta Health and Wellness
Drug Benefit List (DBL), the Alberta Human
Resources & Employment Drug Benefit Supplement
(AHREDBS) and the Palliative Care Drug Benefit
Supplement (PCDBS) have all been
refreshed, effective January 1, 2006.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #38 of the Drug Benefit List Report,
dated January 2006.
Ten products have been removed from
the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List, effective December 1, 2005.
•
Five products have been removed from
the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List, effective December 1, 2005.
• Alberta Health and Wellness
has released
additions to the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective
December 1, 2005.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #37 of the Drug Benefit List Report,
dated October 2005.
Also, Alberta Health and
Wellness has released additions to:
the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL),
effective
November 1, 2005 and
November 15, 2005.
the Alberta Human Resources
& Employment Drug Benefit Supplement
(AHREDBS) for Alberta Works and AISH
(Income Support), effective
November 15, 2005.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List (DBL), the Alberta Human Resources
& Employment Drug Benefit Supplement (AHREDBS)
and the Palliative Care Drug Benefit Supplement
(PCDBS)
have all been refreshed, effective October
1, 2005.
• Alberta Health and Wellness
has released
additions to the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective
September 1, 2005.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and Wellness
Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective
August 1, 2005 and
August 15, 2005.
• AlbertaHealth
and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective
July 1, 2005.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #36 of the Drug Benefit List Report,
dated July 2005.
Also:
The July 1, 2005 quarterly
update to the
Drug Benefit List (DBL) has been
released.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective
May 1, 2005.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
additions to the Alberta Health and
Wellness Drug Benefit List (AHWDBL), effective
April 15, 2005.
Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #35 of the Drug Benefit List Report,
dated April 1, 2005.
•
Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List (DBL), the Alberta Human Resources
& Employment Drug Benefit Supplement (AHREDBS)
and the Palliative Care Drug Benefit Supplement
(PCDBS) have all been
refreshed to include April 1, 2005 pricing.
• AlbertaHealth and Wellness has
released additions, effective March 5, 2005,
to the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug
Benefit List (AHWDBL).
• Alberta Health and Wellness has released
Issue #34 of the Drug Benefit List Report.
The January 1, 2005 quarterly update
to the Drug Benefit List (DBL) has been
released.
The Alberta Health and Wellness Drug
Benefit List has been refreshed, effective
January 1, 2005.
The January 1, 2005 quarterly update
to the Alberta Human Resources and Employment
Drug Benefit Supplement has been released.
The Alberta Human Resources and Employment
Drug Benefit Supplement has been refreshed,
effective January 1, 2005.
• Alberta Health and Wellness has revised
the Palliative Care Drug Benefit Supplement,
effective October 1, 2004.
• Alberta Health and Wellness
has released a Drug Benefit List Report,
Issue #32, dated July 1, 2004.
Also quarterly updates to the Alberta Health
and Wellness Drug Benefit List (DBL) and
the Alberta Human Resources and Employment
Drug Benefit Supplement (AHREDBS) effective
July 1, 2004.
• AlbertaHealth
and Wellness has released additions to the
Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List effective May 1st, 2004.
Alberta Health and Wellness
has also issued a
news release dated May 13th, 2004 announcing
expanded cancer drug coverage for Patients
under the age of 60 with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Alberta Health and Wellness has approved
the Alberta Cancer Board decision, and will
allocate $1.4 million to meet the additional
cost this year.
• Alberta Health and Wellness
has issued the updates to the Alberta Health
and Wellness Drug Benefit List, the Alberta
Human Resources & Employment Drug Benefit
Supplement and the Palliative Care Drug
Benefit Supplement effective April 1st,
2004.
Alberta Health and Wellness
has also published
DBL Report Issue #31 for April, 2004.
•Alberta Health
and Wellness has issued the latest Additions
update to the Alberta Health and Wellness
Drug Benefit List effective February 1st,
2004.
• Alberta Health and Wellness
has issued the latest quarterly update to
the Alberta Health and Wellness Drug Benefit
List and the Alberta Human Resources and
Employment Drug Benefit Supplement effective
January 1st, 2004.
The full revised versions for the Drug
Benefits Lists effective January 1st,
2004 are now available.
• Saskatchewan has released Formulary Committee Bulletin #120 effective October, 2009.
• Saskatchewan has released Formulary Committee Bulletin # 119 effective July 1, 2009.
• 1.7.1 Members – Dr. J. Tuchek is no
longer on the DQAC. Dr. D. Seibel is no
longer on the SFC.
• 1.8 Organizational Chart – Dan
Florizone is the new Deputy Minister of
Health.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued the
Bulletin # 114, dated April 2008.
New Full
Formulary Interchangeable Listings: Gen-Atenolol
25mg tab, Aviane 21 tab, Aviane 28 tab, Gen
Metoprolol 25mg tab. Revised EDS
Criteria: DDAVP 10ug/dose intranasal sol (specific EDS
criteria removed), Apo-Desmopressin
10ug/dose intranasal sol (specific EDS
criteria removed), Ketek 400mg tab, Axert
6.25mg 12.5mg tabs, Amerge 1mg, 2.5mg tabs,
Maxalt 5mg, 10mg tabs, Maxalt RPD 5mg, 10mg
wafer, Imitrex 25mg, 50mg 100mg tabs,
Imitrex 6mg/0.5mL inj sol, Imitrex 5mg, 20mg
nasal spr, Zomig 2.5mg tab, Zomig Rapimelt
2.5mg. EDS Drugs Approved for a New
Indication: Humira 40mg/0.8mL pre-filled syr.
Products Not Recommended by the SK Review
Committee: Cyestra-35 0.035mg/2mg (21
tablets), Elaprase 2mg/mL inj sol, Thelin
100mg tab, Fosrenol 250mg, 500mg, 750mg,
1000mg tabs, Spriafil 40mg/mL oral susp,
Mezavant 1.2g ER tab, CTP 30 30mg tab. New
Interchangeable Listings Effective April 1,
2008: Sandoz Brimonidine 0.2% oph sol, Mint-Citalopram
20mg, 40mg tabs, pms-Clindamycin 150mg,
300mg caps, pms-ISMN 60mg tab, Novo-Morphine
60mg, 100mg, 200mg SR tabs, Apo-Timop gel
0.5% oph gel. New Interchangeable EDS
Listings Effective April 1, 2008 According
to Current EDS Criteria: Sandoz Cefprozil
25mg/mL, 50mg/mL oral susp, pms-Minocycline
50mg, 100mg caps, Apo-Pantoprazole 40mg EC
tab, Ran-Pantoprazole 40mg EC tab.
• The provincial government will provide
approximately $4 million in funding to the
Saskatchewan Cancer Agency for the drug
Avastin, for treatment of patients with
advanced colorectal cancer.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued Pharmacy
Bulletin # 428, dated October 31, 2007. Numerous products
have been listed as interchangeable with the currently listed brand(s), effective November 1, 2007.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued the
Bulletin # 112,
dated October 2007.
Full formulary listings: Ascensia Breeze 2 test strip,
Resultz,50% top sol, Altace HCT 2.5mg/12.5mg, 5mg/12.5mg,
10mg/12.5mg, 5mg/25mg, 10mg/25mg tabs, Diovan 320mg tab. New EDS
listings: Orencia 250mg/vial pd for sol, Somatuline Autogel
60mg, 90mg, 120mg/syringe, Rituxan 10mg/mL inj. New
strength/dosage form of currently listed EDS drugs: Reyataz
300mg cap. EDS Additional Criteria: Fosamax 70mg/mL oral sol,
Plavix 75mg tab. Revised EDS Criteria: Symbicort 6ug/100ug,
6ug/200ug pd for inh. Not Listed: Prexige 100mg tab,
Denavir 1% top crm, Tramacet 37.5mg/325mg tab, Humira
40mg/0.8mL pre-filled pen, Trusopt 2% opth sol
(preservative-free), Diamicron MR 30mg MR tab, Remicade
100mg/vial inj, Biphentin 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg,
50mg, 60mg CR caps, Zyprexa 20mg tab, Humira 40mg/0.8mL
pre-filled syringe, Enbrel 25mg/vial pd for inj, Enbrel
50mg/mL pre-filled syringe. New interchangeable listings
effective July 1, 2007: pms-ASA 650mg EC tab, ratio-Fluticasone
50 NS 50ug/actuation nasal spr, pms-Levetiracetam 250mg, 500mg
750mg tabs, Ran-Pravastatin 10mg, 20mg, 40mg tabs, Sandoz
Tamsulosin 0.4mg SR cap. New Interchangeable EDS listing
effective August 1, 2007 according to current EDS criteria: Apo-Cefprozil
25mg/mL, 50mg/mL susp, Apo-Clarithromycin 250mg, 500mg tabs,
Gen-Clarithromycin 250mg, 500mg tabs, pms-Clarithromycin 250mg,
500mg tabs, ratio-Clarithromycin 250mg, 500mg tabs. New
interchangeable listings effective August 1, 2007: Apo-Benazepril
5mg, 10mg tabs, pms-Doxycycline 100mg tab & cap. New
interchangeable listings effective September 1, 2007: pms-ASA EC
325mg EC tab, Apo-Metoprolol SR 100mg, 200mg SR tab, CO
Topirimate 25mg, 100mg, 200mg tabs. New interchangeable listings
effective September 1, 2007 according to current EDS criteria:
Novo-Desmopressin 0.1mg, 0.2mg tabs. New interchangeable
listings effective October 1, 2007: Gen-Tamsulosin 0.4mg SR cap,
ratio-Venlafaxine XR 37.5mg, 75mg, 150mg SR caps.
• Saskatchewan
Health has released the Saskatchewan Formulary
57th Edition, effective July 1, 2007.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued the
Bulletin # 111, dated July 2007. Below
are highlights of the products added to
the Saskatchewan Formulary. A complete list
of formulary additions or changes can be
accessed from the Bulletin link provided
above.
Full formulary listings: Alvesco
100mcg, 200mcg metered dose inh.
New EDS listings: Exjade 125mg,
250mg, 500mg tabs, Remodulin 1mg/mL,
2.5mg/mL, 5mg/mL, 10mg/mL inj. New
strength/dosage form of currently listed
EDS drugs: Prevacid FasTab 15mg
orally disintegrating tab, Aranesp 200ug/mL
(130ug/0.65mL) pre-filled syr. Not
Listed: Azilect 0.5mg, 1mg tabs,
Strattera 10mg, 18mg, 25mg, 40mg, 60mg
caps, DDAVP Melt 60ug, 120ug tab, Aricept
5mg, 10ng tabs. New interchangeable
listings effective May 1, 2007:
Ran-Citalopram 20mg, 40mg tabs, CO Pravastatin
10mg, 20mg, 40mg tabs. New Interchangeable
EDS listing effective May 1, 2007 according
to current criteria: Apo-Cefprozil
250mg, 500mg tabs, Ran-Cefprozil 250mg,
500mg tabs, Ran-Cefprozil 50mg/mL oral
sus. New interchangeable listings
effective June 1, 2007: Apo-Fluticasone
50ug/actuation, Novo-Ramipril 1.25mg,
2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg caps, ratio-Tamsulosin
0.4mg SR cap.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued the
Saskatchewan Formulary Committee
Bulletin #106, dated April 2006.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued the
Saskatchewan Formulary Committee
Bulletin #105, dated January 2006.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued the
Saskatchewan Formulary Committee
Bulletin #104, dated October 2005.
•
Saskatchewan Health has issued the Saskatchewan
Formulary Committee
Bulletin #103, dated July 2005.
•
Saskatchewan Health has released the
Health Budget 2005-2006. The budget
includes a $16 million (9.5 percent) increase
for the Prescription Drug Plan.
• The Saskatchewan Formulary Committee
has issued
Bulletin (#101), effective January 2005.
• Saskatchewan Health has released
Bulletin # 100 of the Saskatchewan Formulary
Committee Bulletin, effective October 2004.
• The Drug Review Process for Saskatchewan
has been
updated.
Saskatchewan Health has
released
Issue # 99 of the Saskatchewan Formulary
Committee Bulletin and the Summary of Additions
and Deletions to the Saskatchewan Formulary
(54th Edition), effective July 1, 2004.
Also released by Saskatchewan
Health is a
news release on June 23rd regarding
the first group of drugs (proton pump inhibitors
or PPIs) to fall under the Drug Plan’s new
Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) Policy.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued a fact
sheet announcing a new Maximum Allowable
Cost Policy (MAC) effective July 1st, 2004.
• Saskatchewan Health's Formulary Committee
has issued the latest update to the Saskatchewan
Formulary in
Bulletin # 98 effective April, 2004.
• Saskatchewan Health has issued Saskatchewan
Formulary Committee
Bulletin #97 with new formulary listings
effective Feb. 1, 2004.
• Manitoba has released Bulletin # 62 to the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary Amendments which takes effect on February 18, 2010.
• Manitoba has released Bulletin # 61 to the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary Amendments which takes effect on August 17, 2009.
• 1.8 Organizational Chart – Kim Sharman
is the new Assistant Deputy Minister of Corporate and Provincial Program
Support.
• Manitoba Health has released
Bulletin # 58, effective April 29, 2008.
In consideration of the transitional phase
associated with the new generic submission
criteria, the Manitoba Society of
Pharmacists has agreed to a “one-time only”
exception to the 30-day notification period
resulting in a 14-day notification period
for Bulletin 58. Please refer to the
bulletin for the reimbursement criteria of
products added to Parts 2 and 3 of the
Formulary. A complete list of formulary
additions or changes can be accessed from
the link provided above. Highlights of the
changes are listed below:
• Manitoba Health has released
Bulletin # 56, effective January 2,
2008. Please refer to the bulletin for the
reimbursement criteria of products added to
Part 2 of the Formulary. A complete list of
formulary additions or changes can be
accessed from the link provided above.
Highlights of the changes are listed below:
• Manitoba Health Provincial Drug Programs
has released a
notice to pharmacists and prescribers
stating that Mirapex (pramipexole dihydrochloride),
Novo-Pramipexole and pms-Pramipexole are
benefits through Provincial Drug Programs
only when prescribed for the treatment of
idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
• Manitoba Health has released
Bulletin # 55, effective March 15, 2007.
A complete list of formulary additions or
changes can be accessed from the provided
link.
• Manitoba Health has released
Bulletin # 54, effective February 9,
2007. A complete list of formulary additions
or changes can be accessed from the provided
link.
Part
1 Additions (moved from Part 3):
Avandia 2mg, 4mg, 8mg tabs, Novo-Bupropion
SR 150mg tab, Sandoz Bupropion SR 100mg,
150mg tabs, Wellbutrin SR 100mg, 150mg
tabs, Wellbutrin XL 150mg, 300mg tabs.
• The Specified Drugs Regulation (Parts
1 and 2) and the
Manitoba Drug Interchangeability Formulary
Regulation have been updated, effective
December 14, 2006. Also, effective December
14, 2006,
Part 3 Exception Drug Status (EDS) criteria
for the more commonly prescribed medications
will be posted on the Manitoba Health website.
This information will be revised with Bulletin
updates every three to four months.
• Manitoba Health has released
Bulletin # 53, effective December 14,
2006. A complete list of formulary additions
or changes can be accessed from the provided
link.
• CancerCare Manitoba
will receive a $13.3 million increase to
the overall provincial budget for a new
provincial oncology drug program. The provincial
oncology program will be a phased-in consolidation
of existing drug budgets of the regional
health authorities to be administered by
CancerCare Manitoba. Please refer to the
News Release, dated May 19, 2006, for
more details.
Manitoba Health has released
Bulletin # 51, effective June 15, 2006.
• ManitobaHealth has released
Bulletin # 48 as well as an
addendum announcing Manitoba Drug Benefits
and Interchangeability Formulary amendments
effective September 15, 2005.
•
Manitoba Health has
released the Prescription Drugs Cost
Assistance Act Regulation as well as the
Manitoba Drug Interchangeability Formulary
Regulation, effective May 7, 2005.
• Manitoba Health has issued the following
updates:
a new
Bulletin #45 for the Manitoba Drug
Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary
Amendments, effective September 1, 2004
a
revision to Bulletin #44, including
the implementation of the COX-2 benefit
coverage move from Part 2 to Part 3,
outlined in Bulletin #44, which has
been delayed until November 1, 2004
• ManitobaHealth has released
Bulletin #44 containing amendments to
the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability
Formulary, effective September 1, 2004.
• Manitoba Health has issued the latest
Bulletin #43 featuring amendments to
the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability
Formulary effective June 15th, 2004.
• Manitoba Pharmacare has announced a
plan to safeguard the future of Manitoba's
Pharmacare program. The plan, Pharmacare:
A Program for Today and Tomorrow, outlines
a series of measures to control spiralling
costs in Manitoba's Pharmacare program while
preserving benefits for patients. Two key
strategies in the Pharmacare plan to contain
rising drug costs include improved use of
cheaper generic drugs and a Maximum Allowable
Cost policy. The full report:
A Program for Today and Tomorrow is
now available.
• Manitoba Health has issued
Bulletin #42 announcing amendments to
the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability
Formulary effective April 1st, 2004.
• Ontario has released Update O to the ODB Formulary, effective January 5, 2010.
• Ontario has released Update N and Update N1 to the ODB Formulary, effective November 19, 2009.
• Ontario has released Update M to the ODB Formulary, effective November 13, 2009.
• Ontario has released Update L to the ODB Formulary, effective September 30, 2009.
• Ontario has release Update J to the ODB Formulary, effective June 23, 2009.
• Ontario has release Update I to the ODB Formulary, effective May 20, 2009
●
The Ontario Ministry of Health
and Long-Term has released a Notice from
the Executive Officer, dated February
23, 2009, announcing that, effective
immediately, the following
additions/enhancements will be made to
the drug submission status postings:
Diabetic test strips
will be added to the single-source
submission postings
Each single-source submission status
report will include the date on
which the submission has been deemed
complete
A monthly report of
all complete streamlined
Off-Formulary Interchangeability (OFI)
submissions will be added to the
multiple-source submission postings
Drug submission
status postings can be found at the
Ontario Public Drug Programs
website.
●
The Ontario Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care has released
Update G to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 41, effective March 2, 2009.
Highlights of the changes include:
6 new single source
drug products
7 new multiple
source drug products - all are at or
below the 50% generic price rule
3 multiple source
drug products listed as
interchangeable under the
Off-Formulary Interchangeability (OFI)
drug listing
40 adjusted Drug
Benefit Prices (DBP) on existing
drug products
12 routine
housekeeping changes, including
reinstatement to active status of R
& C Shampoo, Nix Dermal Cream and
Kwellada-P
Also, the following
products have been approved for
reimbursement under the Ontario
Public Drug Programs' Exceptional
Access Program (EAP). EAP requests
will be processed when the ministry
implements the recommendation(s):
Celsentri - For the
treatment of HIV-1 infection in
patients with CCR5 tropic virus and
evidence of virologic failure
despite optimal antiretroviral
therapy and documented genotypic (or
phenotypic) resistance to at least
one of each: NRTI, NNRTI, and PI.
Revlimid - For the
treatment of anemia due to
myelodysplastic syndrome with a
deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality.
Eprex - For the
treatment of palliative cancer
patients, anemia secondary to MDS,
anemia secondary to chronic renal
failure, anemia secondary to
hepatitis C therapies, and
pre-operative use.
• The
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
has released a Notice from the
Executive Officer , reminding
pharmacies and drug manufacturers that
Professional Allowance Reports for the
period of July 1, 2008 to December 31,
2008 must be submitted no later than
February 28, 2009. All reports must be
submitted using the excel templates
provided on the Ministry’s website.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update F to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 41, effective January 30, 2009.
Highlights of the changes include:
6 new single source
drug products.
11 new multiple
source drug products – 10 are at or
below the 50% generic price rule.
4 multiple source
drug products listed as
interchangeable under the
Off-Formulary Interchangeability (OFI)
drug listing
136 adjusted Drug
Benefit Prices (DBP) on existing
drug products
19 routine
housekeeping changes
• 1.8
Organizational Chart – David Caplan is
the new Minister of Health and Long-Term
Care.
• The Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has announced in a Bulletin Board
System (BBS) posting, dated May 14, 2008,
that, effective immediately, submissions for
Off-Formulary Interchangeability (OFI) are
no longer being restricted by a monthly
schedule of specified modules. Manufacturers
are able to make OFI submissions for any
products with a Declaration of Equivalence
from Health Canada or any product with
comparative bioavailability/clinical studies
to the reference product. The next
submission deadline will be extended from
May 7, 2008 to May 21, 2008, for OFI
submissions only. Please see the
Ministry’s website for more information.
• The Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has announced in a Bulletin Board
System (BBS) posting, dated May 13, 2008,
that it will be publicly posting the status
of manufacturers’ drug submissions on its
website. The initial phase will include
single-source submissions undergoing first
review and complete streamlined
multiple-source submissions for formulary
listing. The posting will commence with
single-source drug submissions received on
June 1, 2008 (updated weekly) and
streamlined multiple-source drug submissions
received by June 4, 2008 (updated monthly).
Once implemented, the status of drug
submissions can be found on the
Ontario Public Drug Programs website.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 12 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective May 16, 2008. A
complete list of formulary additions or
changes can be accessed from the link
provided above. Highlights of the changes
are listed below:
• The following drug product has been
recommended for reimbursement under the
Ontario Public Drug Programs’ Exceptional
Access Program (EAP), effective May 16,
2008:
Sativex 25mg/mL,
27mg/mL buccal spray – for cancer-related
pain.
• The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care has released a
notice announcing proposed regulations to amend the Ontario
Regulation 935 under the Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing
Fee Act and the Ontario Regulation 201/96 under the Ontario Drug
Benefit Act. Interested parties are invited to provide written
comments on the proposed regulations before 5 p.m. on Friday May
30, 2008. Contact information is provided in the notice.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 11 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective April 9, 2008. A
complete list of formulary additions or
changes can be accessed from the link
provided above. Highlights of the changes
are listed below:
New Multi-Source
Drugs: Co Venlafaxine XR 37.5mg, 75mg, 150mg
ER caps, Novo-Morphine SR 60mg, 100mg, 200mg
SR tabs, PMS-Clindamycin 300mg cap, PMS-Propafenone
150mg, 300mg tabs. Manufacturer Requested
Discontinued Drugs: Kwellada-P 1% cr rinse,
Kwellada-P 5% lot, Nix Dermal Cream 5% cr,
Panoxyl 15% gel, R & C Shampoo/Conditioner
0.3% & 3% & 1.2% top sol, Trasicor 40mg tab.
Not-A-Benefit Drugs: Apo-Amoxi Clav 400mg &
57mg/5mL susp, Gen-Domperidone 10mg tab. Off
Formulary Interchangeable Products: Gen-Metformin
850mg tab, PMS-Metformin 850mg tab, PMS-Minocycline
50mg, 100mg caps, Ran-Metformin 850mg tab.
Palliative Care Drugs: Phenobarbital 120mg/mL
inj sol-1mL pk. New Diabetic Testing Agent:
Ascensia Breeze 2 Strip.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 10 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective March 25, 2008. A
complete list of formulary additions or
changes can be accessed from the link
provided above. Highlights of the changes
are listed below:
• The Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has announced that
Lucentis was added to the Ontario Drug
Benefit Formulary in March 2008. Lucentis is
a prescription medicine developed for the
treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related
macular degeneration (AMD), a degenerative
condition affecting central vision in people
typically aged 50 and older.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 9 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective February 12, 2008. A
complete list of formulary additions or
changes can be accessed from the link
provided above. Highlights of the changes
are listed below:
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 8a to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective January 17, 2008.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released an addendum to
Update 8 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective January 15, 2008.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 8 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective January 15, 2008.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 7
to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition Number
40, effective December 19, 2007. A complete list
of formulary additions or changes can be
accessed from the link provided above.
Highlights of the changes are listed below:
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has
released Update 6A to the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 40, effective November 16, 2007.
• The Executive Officer of the Ontario Public Drug Programs,
on behalf of the Ministry, has
released a notice (dated November 13, 2007) with information
concerning the reporting framework for professional allowances.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has
released Update 6 to the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 40, effective November 10, 2007. A
complete list of formulary additions or changes can be accessed
from the link provided above. Highlights of the changes are
listed below:
New Single Source Drugs:
NovoMix 30 Penfill 100U/mL inj susp, Wellbutrin XL 150mg, 300mg
tabs. New Multi-Source Drugs: Apo-Metoprolol SR 100mg,
200mg LA tabs, Co Ramipril 1.25mg, 10mg caps, Novo-Citalopram
20mg tab, PMS-Digoxin 0.0625mg tab, PMS-Venlafaxine XR 37.5mg,
75mg, 150mg ER caps, Sandoz Omeprazole 20mg cap. Discontinued
Drugs (Manufacturer Requested): Norpramin 25mg, 50mg tabs,
Novo-Citalopram 20mg tab, Nozinan 5mg, 25mg, 50mg tabs, Panoxyl
15% gel, Rhodis-EC 100mg ent tab, Rhotrimine 75mg cap,
Rhotrimine 100mg tab. New Drug Benefit Price: Novo-Hydrazide
25mg, 50mg tabs, Novo-Venlafaxine XR 3735mg, 75mg, 150mg ER
caps. Not-Benefit Drugs: Losec 20mg cap. Discontinued
Drugs (Removed from Payment & Listing): Apo-Levobunolol
0.25% oph sol, Apo-Sulfatrim 40mg & 8mg/mL O/L, Stieva-A 0.01%.
Off Formulary Interchangeable Products: Apo-Etodolac
200mg, 300mg caps, Apo-Fluticasone 50mcg/actuation nas sp-120
dose pk, Apo-Glimepiride 1mg, 2mg, 4mg tabs, Apo-Levetiracetam
250mg, 500mg, 750mg tabs, Gen-Alendronate 5mg tab, Gen-Buspirone
10mg tab, Novo-Buspirone 10mg tab, PMS-Levetiracetam 250mg,
500mg, 750mg tabs, Ratio-Buspirone 10mg tab, Ratio-Fluticasone
50mcg/actuation nas sp-120 dose pk. Status Change (from
Not-A-Benefit to General Benefit): Apo-Lisinopril 5mg, 10mg,
20mg tabs (interchangeable with Zestril), Apo-Lisinopril 5mg,
10mg, 20mg tabs (interchangeable with Prinivil).
• The Executive Officer of the Ontario Public Drug Programs, on
behalf of the Ministry, has
released a notice announcing that
effective as of the next Formulary Update, the Ministry will endeavor to provide a lead time of seven (7) business days
between the release date of the Formulary Update and the
effective date. However, the Executive Officer reserves the
right to make any change at any time to the timing of the
Formulary update as is deemed necessary.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has
released Update 5
to the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative Drug Index
Edition Number 40, effective October 3, 2007.
• The Executive Officer of the Ontario Public Drug
Programs, on behalf of the Ministry, is
inviting public comment
regarding the desired lead time between the release date of
Formulary Updates and the effective date. Written comments
should be provided on or before September 7, 2007 at 5:00
p.m. EST.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has
released Update 4
to the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative Drug Index
Edition Number 40, effective September 4, 2007. A complete
list of formulary additions or changes can be accessed from
the link provided above. Highlights of the changes are
listed below:
• On July
17, 2007, the Ontario Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care announced the launch
of a new service called
MedsCheck. This free service allows
people to consult with their pharmacist
for up to 30 minutes once a year to review
the medications they are taking.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 3A to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective July 12, 2007.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released
Update 3 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective July 12, 2007. A complete
list of formulary additions or changes can
be accessed from the link provided above.
Highlights of the changes are listed below:
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care
has announced that Helen Stevenson has
been appointed as Assistant Deputy Minister
and Executive Officer, Ontario Public Drug
Programs.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 2 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index, Edition
Number 40, effective June 6, 2007. A complete
list of formulary additions or changes can
be accessed from the provided link above.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 1 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 40, effective May 4, 2007. A complete
list of formulary additions or changes can
be accessed from the provided link above.
Highlights of the changes are listed below:
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 16 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective April 2, 2007.
A complete list of formulary
additions or changes can be accessed from
the provided link above. Highlights of the
changes are listed below:
New Single Source Drugs: Coversyl
Plus 4mg & 1.25mg tab, Diamicron 80mg
tab, Diamicron MR 30mg SR tab, Preterax
2mg & 0.625mg tab. New Multi-Source
Drugs: Apo-Desmopressin 0.1mg, 0.2mg
tabs. Apo-Famciclovir 500mg tab, Apo-Pramipexole
0.25mg, 1mg, 1.5mg tabs, Co Cilazapril
2.5mg, 5mg tabs, Co Pravastatin 10mg,
20mg, 40mg tabs, Co Sertraline 25mg,
50mg, 100mg caps, PMS-Ursodiol C 250mg
tab, PMS-Ursodiul C 500mg tab. New
Drug Benefit Price: Apo-Desipramine
25mg tab, Apo-Deno-Super 160mg tab,
Apo-Metoprolol 50mg tab, 100mg tabs,
Apo-Omeprazole Cap 20mg cap, Celontin
300mg cap, Codeine Contin 50mg, 100mg,
150mg, 200mg CR tabs, Ezetrol 10mg tab,
Hydromorph Contin 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, 18mg,
24mg, 30mg CR caps, Lithane 150mg, 300mg
caps, MS Contin 15mg, 30mg, 60mg, 100mg,
200mg SR tabs, MS-IR 20mg, 30mg tabs,
Neuleptil 5mg, 10mg caps, Neuleptil
10mg/mL O/L, Novolin ge 10/90 Penfill
100U/mL inj susp-5x3mL Pk, Novolin ge
20/80 Penfill 100U/mL inj susp-5x3mL
Pk, Novolin ge 30/70 1000U/10mL inj
susp-10mL Pk, Novolin ge 30/70 Penfill
100U/mL inj susp-5x3mL Pk, Novolin ge
40/60 Penfill 100U/mL inj susp-5x3mL
Pk, Novolin ge 50/50 Penfill 100U/mL
inj susp-5x3mL Pk, Novolin ge NPH 1000U/10mL
inj susp-10mL Pk, Novolin NPH Penfill
100U/mL inj susp-5x3mL Pk, Novolin ge
Toronto 1000U/10mL inj susp-10mL Pk,
Novolin ge Toronto Penfill 100U/mL inj
susp-5x3mL Pk, Novo-Metoprol 100mg tab,
NovoRapid 100U/mL inj sol-10mL Pk, NovoRapid
100U/mL inj sol-5x3mL Pk, Oxycontin
10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 80mg SR tabs, Parsitan
50mg tab, Phyllocontin 225mg SR tab,
Phyllocontin-350 350mg SR tab, Procan
SR 250mg, 500mg, 750mg LA tabs, Sandoz
Famciclovir 500mg tab, Senokot 1.7mg/mL
syr, Soframycin 0.5% oph oint-5g Pk,
Tanta Orciprenaline 2mg/mL O/L, Thyroid
30mg, 60mg, 125mg tabs, Tiazac XC 180mg
ER tab, Tylenol No. 2 15mg tab, Tylenol
No. 3 30mg tab, Tylenol No. 4 300mg
& 60mg tab, Uniphyl 400mg, 600mg SR
tabs, Vagifem 25mcg vag tab, Zarontin
250mg cap, Zarontin 50mg/mL O/L.
Not-A-Benefit: Apo-Lisinopril 5mg,
10mg, 20mg tabs, Nu-Triazide 25mg &
50mg tab. Limited Use Change:
Femara 2.5mg tab
The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released information
regarding the implementation of
Off-Formulary Interchangeability (OFI),
effective April 1, 2007. OFI is the application
of interchangeability designations to drug
products that are not listed as ODB benefits
in the Formulary.
The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 15A to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective March 9, 2007.
New Multi-Source Drugs: Apo-Digoxin
0.0625mg, 0.125mg, 0.25mg tabs, P<S-Digoxin
0.125mg, 0.25mg tabs. New Drug Benefit
Price: Lumigan 0.03% oph sol.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released
Update 15 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective March 9, 2007.
A complete list of formulary additions
or changes can be accessed from the provided
link above. Highlights of the changes are
listed below:
Health and Long-Term Care Minister
George Smitherman has announced the
appointment of Mr. Richard Ling
as the new chair of Cancer Care Ontario
(CCO), effective March 14, 2007.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has introduced a number of
initiatives to improve access to cancer
services. One of these initiatives
include increasing spending for cancer
drug treatments covered under the Ministry’s
New Drug Funding Program to $152.12
million in 2006-07, from $62.4 million
in 2003-04.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has
released several guidelines concerning
the Transparency of the Drug Review
Process, Streamlining to a Single Monthly
Formulary Process and Rapid Review Submissions,
all dated January 2007.
The following products listed in
the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index (Formulary) have been updated,
effective January 12, 2007:
Changes
to the Drug Benefit Price: Gentamicin
Sulfate 0.3% ot sol, PMS-Ticlopidine
250mg tab, Sandoz Acebutolol 200mg,
400mg tabs, Sandoz Ticlopidone 250mg
tab. Not a Benefit: Diopred 1%
oph susp. Discontinued/Removed from
Payment: Apo-Ampi 250mg, 500mg caps,
Nadostine 100000U/g cr, Nadostine 100000U/g
oint, Nadostine 500000U tab, Ratio-Sulfasalazine
500mg tab, Ratio-Sulfasalazine EN 500mg
ent tab.
• Mr. Ron Sapsford,
the Executive Officer for the Ontario public
drug programs, has
released a notice clarifying the Ontario
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s
position concerning the selling and invoice
prices of products dispensed for ODB-eligible
recipients. Mr. Sapsford notes that under
the Ontario Drug Benefit Act (ODBA), all
manufacturers must sell their listed drug
products at the drug benefit price listed
in the Formulary, for ODB-eligible recipients.
The ODB drug benefit price must appear on
the actual invoice, where the drug product
is intended for ODB-eligible recipients.
If any manufacturer does not comply with
the published price for ODB-recipients,
the Executive Officer will take immediate
and appropriate action as authorized under
the ODBA.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released Updates
14 and
14A to the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 39, effective
January 2, 2007.
Highlights of the changes are listed
below. A complete list of formulary additions
or changes can be accessed from the provided
link above:
The Executive Officer for the Ontario
public drug programs has
released a notice regarding the most
recent set of filed regulations amending
Reg. 935 under the Drug Interchangeability
and Dispensing Fee Act (DIDFA) and O. Reg.
201/96 under the Ontario Drug Benefit Act
(ODBA). In summary, the regulations include:
the expansion of the use of professional
allowances to allow pharmacies to use
professional allowances for counseling
or communicating when dispensing a prescription,
activities that may be defined as professional
allowances
the creation of exceptions to the
50% generic price rule where the product
is the only generic product available
on the market or where the product is
the first generic product on the CDB
Formulary/CDI Formulary. The regulations
also allow the Executive Officer to
negotiate agreements for any drug benefit
price lower than the original product
price
the extension of the use of the
Cost-to-Operator mechanism until March
1, 2007
Furthermore, work on the criteria for
price increases is expected to be completed
by the end of March 2007; the criteria will
be published shortly thereafter.
23 new
brand-name drugs have been added under
the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan since the
Transparent Drug System for Patients Act
came into effect on October 1, 2006. In
addition to the new brand-name drugs, more
than 24 additional generic products were
listed, including Apo-Omeprazole. Lastly,
as a result of the new law, 40,000 Section
8 agreements are being eliminated.
Effective December 20, 2006, the following
drugs were added to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Plan: Avandia, Caduet tabs, Viread, Aranesp,
Eprex, Trelstar, Gleevec, Crestor, Fosavance,
Fosamax, Pariet, Invirase, Sandostatin SC,
Sandostatin LAR. The following were already
listed since October 1, 2006: Aclasta Solution,
Lipidil EZ tablets, Norprolac tablets, Caduet
tablets, Videx EC, Tobi, Myfortic, Xeloda,
Actos.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has released a notice providing clarifications
regarding Conditional Listings. Conditional
Listing is a new Formulary listing category,
intended to provide access to new and existing
drugs under specific conditions and based
on the recommendations of the Committee
to Evaluate Drugs (CED). These conditions
may include use in specific subgroups of
patients according to criteria published
in the Formulary.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has announced the establishment
of the
Ontario Pharmacy Council. Through the
Council, pharmacists will be involved in
the development of pharmaceutical and health
policy in Ontario. The Council will advise
on matters concerning the delivery of pharmaceutical
services including: education, conduct,
compensation and policy. The Council’s first
meeting is scheduled for November 2006.
A list of members is available from the
Ministry’s website.
• Ron Sapsford, the Executive Officer
for the Ontario public drug programs, has
released a notice outlining resolutions
to implementation issues related to the
Transparent Drug System for Patients Act,
2006. These resolutions include the following:
New prices will be established for
selected generic products, including
first-to-market generics, in limited
exceptions to the 50% price rule.
The Cost-to-Operator mechanism will
be extended until December 31, 2006.
As of the next update to the Formulary,
pharmacies will be able to purchase
drugs from generic manufacturers at
the product’s listed drug benefit price.
Clarification that the only provisions
in the Transparent Drug System for Patients
Act, 2006 that apply to the private
market are the ban on rebates, the definition
of professional allowances, and, the
Code of Conduct that governs the use
of these professional allowances.
Clarification that when a manufacturer
requests that the Executive Officer
remove an interchangeable product as
a listed drug product from the Formulary,
that the product may maintain its interchangeability
designation at the discretion of the
Executive Officer. Also off-formulary
interchangeability will be implemented
as of April 1, 2007.
Confirmation that up to 20% of generic
sales for the ODB Program may be provided
to pharmacies as professional allowances,
effective October 1, 2006. The requirement
that pharmacies and manufacturers report
on these professional allowances will
be delayed to January 1, 2007. The ministry
is developing a reporting system for
professional allowances, and will provide
further communication related to the
reporting requirements in the coming
weeks.
The price increase criteria for
single source products will be published
at the time of the next Formulary update.
Update 14 to Edition 39 of the Formulary
will be published in mid- to late-November.
This Update will include new listings
of brand name products, the new negotiated
prices for selected generic products
and the removal of over 400 discontinued
products. A full Formulary is scheduled
to be published in January 2007.
The reduction in mark-up from 10%
to 8% will be delayed until April 1,
2007, and a dollar cap on the mark-up
will not be implemented. This delay
in reducing the mark-up will coincide
with the implementation of payments
for pharmacy professional services.
An Implementation Working Group,
including members from Rx&D, CGPA, OPA,
CACDS and CAPDM, will be established
through the Drug System Secretariat.
The group will be assisting in implementing
the changes to the provincial drug system.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released
Update 13 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective September 6, 2006.
•
Regulation amendments have been made
to the Ontario Drug Benefit Act (ODBA)
and the Drug Interchangeability and
Dispensing Fee Act (DIDFA).
The Lieutenant Governor in Council has
appointed Ron Sapsford, Deputy Minister
of Health and Long-Term Care as the
Executive Officer for the Ontario public
drug programs.
• The Ontario Ministry
of Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 12 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective September 6, 2006.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released
Update 11 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective August 24, 2006.
Due to the lack of evidence for the safe
use of thioridazine, Health Canada has advised
that the Drug Identification Numbers (DINs)
for all thioridazine products will be cancelled
as of August 31, 2006 and all remaining
stock will be recalled after this date.
The benefit status and if applicable, the
interchangeability designation of these
products will be removed from the Ontario
Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative Drug
Index. These amendments will be published
in the next Formulary update. If you have
any questions, please contact the ODB Helpdesk
at 1(800) 668-6641.
• TheOntario Ministry of Health
and Long Term Care has released
Update 10 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective July 19, 2006.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has announced that the Ontario government
will be providing coverage for four new
cancer-fighting drugs:
Velcade, Taxotere, Tomudex and Tarceva,
beginning with $8.2 million this year and
increasing to $15 million next year.
• The proposed legislation
Bill 102: Transparent Drug System for Patients
Act has received its third and final reading
on June 19, 2006. More information is available
from a
June 19, 2006 MOHLTC News Release.
According to a Limited Use Update released
by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care, the following drug product formats
have been discontinued: Severent® (salmeterol
xinafoate) Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) and
Reminyl™ (galantamine hydrobromide) immediate
release 4mg, 8mg and 12mg tablets.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has released
proposed amendments to Bill 102 at its
second reading. The following are the proposed
amendments:
Tougher provisions to eliminate
rebates
Clarify “professional allowances”
Include new Councils
Review recommendations not to list
drugs
Improve the transparency of the
Executive Officer and Drug Benefits
program
Encourage innovation
Clarify generic drug interchangeability
(generic drug substitution)
Clarify intent that therapeutic
substitution not permitted
Strengthen the Principles in the
Legislation
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long Term Care has released
Update 9 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective June 14, 2006.
As of June 1, 2006, two new strengths
of Desferrioxamine Mesilate for Injection
BP (Deferoxamine Mesylate) – 500 mg and
2 g vials – are reimbursed under the Special
Drugs Program.
•A copy of the
Speaking Notes on Ontario’s drug system,
presented at the Economic Club of Toronto
by Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
George Smitherman on May 15, 2006, is available.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released
Update C to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective June 15, 2006.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released
Update 8 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective May 19, 2006.
• On April 13, 2006, the
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care released a
BBS Bulletin No. 6029 to Ontario Pharmacists,
discussing the new legislation it has introduced
recently: Bill 102, Transparent Drug System
for Patients Act.
•
Breaking News:
The Ontario government has introduced
Bill 102, Transparent Drug System for Patients
Act, 2006
on April 13, 2006. This legislation would,
if passed, allow for the implementation
of the government’s plan to reform Ontario’s
drug system.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 7 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective April 4, 2006.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update B to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective April 19, 2006.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 6 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective March 1, 2006.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 5 to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective January 24, 2006.
• The Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care has released a reminder
noting that the Ministry-issued Limited
Use (LU) prescription forms will no longer
be available and will not be filled after
December 31, 2005. Prescribers may instead
write the appropriate LU code [Reason for
Use (RFU) code] on regular prescriptions
for LU drugs. Please refer to the Limited
use Modernization information released in
September and October 2005 posted on the
following
website.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update A to the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective January 12, 2006.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
Update 4 for the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective December 6, 2005.
•
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released
Update 3 for the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective November 8, 2005.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released
update 2 for the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective October 6, 2005.
•
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released the Limited Use Modernization
Questions and Answers, effective September
27, 2005.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has also released Drug Programs
Branch
Bulletin 1 and
Bulletin 2, Fall 2005.
• TheOntario Drug
Benefit Program has issued the
39th Edition: of the Ontario Drug
Benefit Formulary/Comparative Drug Index
effective September 27, 2005.
Also, the Ontario Ministry
of Health and Long Term Care has released
update 1L for the Ontario Drug Benefit
Formulary/Comparative Drug Index Edition
Number 39, effective September 16, 2005.
•
TheOntarioMinistry of Health
and Long Term Care has released update G3
for the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 38, effective
August 19, 2005.
•
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released the
2004-2005 Report Card for the Ontario
Drug Benefit Program.
Also, the Ontario Ministry
of Health and Long Term Care has released
update G2 for the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 38, effective
July 14, 2005.
•
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released update G1 for the
Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 38, effective
June 13, 2005.
•
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released update G for the
Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 38, effective
May 25, 2005.
•
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
has released the 2003-2004 Report Card for
the Ontario Drug Benefit Program.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released update F3 for
the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 38, effective
April 28, 2005.
• The Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program
has issued new
cut-off dates for monthly generic updates
(Please note: these dates are the internal
Ministry cut-off dates, by which time all
documentation for streamlined and non-streamlined
multiple source submissions must be approved
by the Ministry).
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long Term Care has released update F2 for
Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 38, effective
March 31. 2005.
• The Ontario Ministry of
Health and Long Term Care has released Update
F for the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index Edition Number 38, effective
February 22, 2005, and Update F1, effective
Feb. 24, 2005.
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care has released Update E3 for Ontario
Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative Drug
Index Edition Number 38, effective January
25, 2005.
Also, the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB)
program and Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) now
have a
joint drug review process.
• On December 20, 2004 the Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care posted an on-line
Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary / Comparative
Drug Index (Formulary / CDI) on the
Ministry's website. The e-Formulary
provides fast and easy access to listed
drug products information.
At this time, Formulary / CDI information
in Part III (General Benefits/Limited Use)
and in Part XI (Registered Nurses in the
Extended Health) can be displayed by selecting
one or a combination of the following criteria:
• Coverage Status
• Therapeutic Classification
• Manufacturer
• Generic Name
• Brand Name
• Drug Identification Number/Product
Identification Number (DIN/PIN)
• keyword
The e-Formulary will be expanded to include
Facilitated Access Drug Products as well
as Nutrition Products and Diabetic Testing
Agents.
•TheOntariogovernment
is investing $15 million for improved access
to cancer drugs through Cancer Care Ontario’s
(CCO) New Drug Funding Program.
More information here.
The Ontario Drug Programs Branch (DPB)
has announced that they will no longer send
individualized letters to manufacturers
to inform them of Formulary Update changes.
Further information is
available here.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care has released the following:
An update E1 for the Ontario Drug
Benefit Formulary, effective Nov. 16,
2004.
The Updated Handbook of Limited
Use Drug Products (dated Nov. 2004)
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long Term Care has released updates D3 and
E for the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index, effective November 4th, 2004.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long Term Care has released update D2 for
the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index.
• Ontario Health has released Update
D1 for the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary
/ Comparative Index, effective August 11,
2004.
• The Ontario Ministry of Health and
Long Term Care has issued the latest Update
D to the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index effective July 20th, 2004.
• The Drug Programs Branch, Ministry
of Health and Long-Term Care has established
cut-off dates for drug products to be included
in a subsequent Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative
Drug Index (Formulary) Edition or Update.
This applies to all products which have
either received a positive recommendation
for listing by the Drug Quality and Therapeutics
Committee (DQTC) or are reviewed and screened
for regulatory compliance by Ministry staff
(i.e., streamlined generic submissions).
Cut-Off Dates: Quarterly Formulary Updates
or Editions
- May 21, 2004 @ 5:00 pm
- August 18, 2004 @ 5:00 pm
- November 17, 2004 @ 5:00 pm
• Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care has released an update C to the Ontario
Drug Benefit formulary/Comparative Drug
Index effective April 6th, 2004.
●
The deadline for research-based drug manufacturers to submit an intended price increase for their products in 2010 to the Conseil du médicament is Friday, January 8, 2010 4:30 p.m. The maximum price increase allowed in 2010 (based on the change in Quebec's annual CPI) is limited to 0.48%. According to the Politique du médicament, the guaranteed selling price for generic products must not exceed 60% (first generic product) and 54% (subsequent generic products) of the brand price. Price increase requests must be sent either by e-mail (cdm-prix@msss.gouv.qc.ca) , by fax (418.528.2622), or by mail (Conseil du médicament, Direction scientifique de l’inscription - PRIX 2010, 1195, avenue Lavigerie, 1er étage, Bureau 100, Québec (Québec), G1V 4N3).
Please consult the Conseil’s website for more details on filing requirements.
● The deadline by which innovative drug manufacturers must enter into a price increase agreement for 2010 has been postponed. Such agreements with the Minister of Health and Social Services include the manufacturers’ financial contributions to lessen the impact of permitted price increases on the public health system. The deadline to conclude an agreement with the Minister, which had been set for October 16, 2009, has now been postponed to Friday, November 13, 2009.
For more information, please consult the Conseil’s website.
● The Conseil du médicament has released the list of drugs under review for the February 2010 Liste de médicaments. Comments regarding these drugs must be sent to the Conseil by October 16th, 2009, either by e-mail (cdm@cdm.gouv.qc.ca) or by mail (Conseil du médicament, Direction générale, 1195, avenue Lavigerie, 1er étage, Bureau 100, Québec (Québec), G1V 4N3).
● The Ministry of Health and Social Services authorized three updates, in 2010, to the Liste de médicaments du Régime général d'assurance médicaments and the Liste de médicaments-établissements. An additional update to the Liste will be published in April 2010, to reflect price increases. Details on submission deadlines and Formulary publishing dates are available on the Conseil du médicament's website.
● The Conseil du médicament has released its 2008-2009 Annual Report which presents the Conseil's objectives and achievements to date, including highlights on listing and the optimal use of drugs.
● Ms.
Sylvie Robert is the new Director of the Direction
scientifique de l'inscription at the Conseil du
médicament, replacing André Comeau, who has now retired.
Please consult the Conseil's
website for more details.
● Capsules
CdMs, which include details on the review of drugs and
final decisions made by the provincial drug plan, are
published whenever there is an update to the Liste de
médicaments. As of February 2009, Capsules CdMs will no
longer be distributed simultaneously by RAMQ with the
publication of the Liste de médicaments updates.
However, these documents will continue to be available
on the Conseil's website. More information is available
online.
● The
Conseil du médicament has released the list of
drugs under review for the June 2009 Liste de
médicaments. Comments regarding these drugs must be sent
to the Conseil by February 6th, 2009, either by e-mail (cdm@cdm.gouv.qc.ca)
or by mail (Conseil du médicament, Direction générale,
1195, avenue Lavigerie, 1er étage, Bureau 100, Québec
(Québec), G1V 4N3).
● The
Conseil du médicament has studied the impacts on
emergency health services resulting from the transfer of
two drugs, Advair and Symbicort, to the Médicaments
d'exception section of the Liste de médicaments. A
document presenting the results of this study may be
downloaded from the Conseil's
website.
●
The Ministry of Health and Social
Services is currently conducting an information
campaign for the public on the proper use of
medications, entitled ''Take your medications
seriously''. This campaign includes TV and radio
commercials, as well as a new
website presenting five tips for the
proper use of medications. Please consult the
Ministry's
website for more information.
●
Manufacturers that have a financial
agreement in place with the Ministry of Health and
Social Services for an intended price increase of
their products in 2009 have until December 15, 2008
4:30 p.m. to file their price increase in order to
be included on the April 2009 Liste de médicaments.
The maximum increase allowed in 2009, based on the
change in Quebec's annual CPI, is limited to 2.36%.
Please consult the Conseil du médicament's
website for more details on filing requirements.
An updated Liste de
médicaments -
régime général d'assurance
médicaments, dated October 29,
2008, is now available. RAMQ has
released Modification no 1 and
Correction no 2, effective October
29, 2008.
Correction no 3, effective
November 12, 2008, has also been
released.
The Conseil du
médicament has published new
documents on the optimal use of
antibiotic agents and antibiotherapy.
One of the Conseil's mandates is to
promote the optimal use of drugs.
The new reports can be downloaded
from the
Conseil's website.
The Conseil du
médicament has issued the latest
Bulletin CdM Express,
Vol.5 No.3: (October 2008).
The bulletin announces:
Distinctions
between the role of the
Conseil and Health Canada
regarding drug safety
Optimization
of the formulary listing
process in Quebec
Statistical
results (number of products
reviewed/listed,
time-to-listing, etc.) from
the Conseil's review process
between 2006 and 2008
Table of
principal decisions by the
Minister concerning the
Liste de médicaments,
effective October 1, 2008
2009
Formulary publishing dates
and respective deadlines to
submit request
The
re-evaluation of glitazones
currently being undertaken
by the Conseil
The
management of drug prices
for products listed on the
Liste de médicaments -
régime général d'assurance
médicaments
Publications
on the use of antibiotics:
availability on the
Conseil's website shortly
Principal
recommendations regarding the Liste
de médicaments, effective October 1,
2008, are posted on the Conseil du
médicament's
website. Please consult the
October 2008
Capsule CdM for more details
about the principal decisions on
recommendations.
RAMQ has released
the list of drugs limited to a
''maximum price payable'' (MPP)
under the Quebec Public Drug
Insurance Plan. MPPs were introduced
on the Liste de médicaments
published in June 2008. The list of
drugs and respective packs (as of
October 1, 2008) affected by this
policy is available on RAMQ's
website.
• The Conseil du médicament has
released the list of drugs under review
for the addition of new drugs, new
strengths, or new indication for a drug
already listed, to the Formulary to be
published in February 2009. Comments
regarding these drugs may be sent to the
Conseil until October 10th, 2008 by
e-mail (cdm@cdm.gouv.qc.ca) or by mail (Conseil
du médicament, Direction générale, 1195,
avenue Lavigerie, 1er étage, Bureau 100,
Québec (Québec), G1V 4N3).
• The Conseil has begun the review
process for generic products as well and
16 drugs are currently under review.
Manufacturers have until October 31st,
2008, to submit their complete drug
submissions for generic products.
Please consult the Conseil's
website for more details.
•
1.7.1 Committee Members – Danielle Pilon
is now the Vice-President of Le Conseil
du medicament. Nathalie Champoux
replaces Roger Ladouceur as part of the
Médecins experts en pharmacologie.
Claudine Laurier replaces Danielle Pilon
as part of the Experts en économie de la
santé ou en épidemiologie.
•
1.8 Organizational Chart – Yves Bolduc
is the new Ministre de Santé et des
Services sociaux. Marc Giroux is the new
Président-Directeur général du Régie de
l’assurance maladie du Québec.
•
The Ministry of Health and Social
Services authorized three updates, in
2009, to the Liste de médicaments du
Régime général d'assurance médicaments
and the Liste de
médicaments-établissements. An
additional update to the Liste will be
published in April 2009, to reflect
price increases. Details on submission
deadlines and Formulary publishing dates
are available on the Conseil du
médicament's
website.
NOTE: Manufacturers have
until Friday August 22, 2008 4:30 p.m.
to send by mail to the Conseil (Conseil
du médicament, Direction scientifique de
l'inscription, 1195, avenue Lavigerie,
1er étage, bureau 100, Québec (Québec),
G1V 4N3) their submission for a new
medication or for a new indication of a
medication already list
•The Conseil du médicament
has revised its submission requirements for
listing on the Liste de médicaments. Details
on the number of copies and type of
documents required, depending upon the type
of submission, are posted on the
Conseil's website. A new form to fill
in, entitled ''Description sommaire du
dossier'', is now required.
Note: The new submission
requirements are mandatory for submissions for
the June 2009 Liste de médicaments, but optional
for the February 2009 Liste. However,
manufacturers are strongly encouraged to provide
the new requirements, especially the new
''Description sommaire du dossier'' form, and to
apply the new guidelines to their submissions
for the February 2009 Liste.
•The Conseil du médicament
has released the list of drugs (49) under
review for the addition of new drugs, new
strengths, or new indication for a drug
already listed, to the next Formulary to be
published in October 2008. The Conseil has
begun the review process for generic
products as well and 20 drugs are currently
under review.
• The
Conseil du médicament has released its
2007-2008 Annual Report, which
presents the Conseil's objectives and
achievements since 2007 regarding
listing decisions and the optimal use of
drugs. The document also highlights key
results from the Conseil's response to
two publications released last year: the
Plan stratégique 2007-2010 and the
Politique du médicament.
• An updated
Liste de médicaments - régime général
d'assurance médicaments, dated June
2008, is now available. This Liste
introduces the new ''maximum price payable''
(MPP) under the Quebec Public Drug Insurance
Plan. With the implementation of this new
price policy, manufacturers may now submit a
guaranteed selling price exceeding the
maximum price payable but patients may have
to pay the difference between the guaranteed
selling price and the MPP, which will appear
on their invoice after ''Excess amount''.
When calculating the maximum out-of-pocket
contributions from patients, this amount is
not taken into consideration. More details
and the list of drugs falling under this new
policy can be found on the
Conseil website.
• Please see below for a list of the
principal recommendations
by the Conseil du médicament regarding the
Liste de médicaments, effective June 2nd, 2008:
Liste de médicaments du régime général and
the Liste de médicaments-établissements:
Additions: Atripla 600-200-300 mg tab, Zeldox
20mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg caps. Médicaments
d'exception (new medications): Additions. Campral 333mg DR tab, Cymbalta 30mg, 60mg DR
caps, Suboxone 2mg/0.5mg, 8mg/2mg subl tabs. Médicaments d'exception (based on new
indications): Enbrel 25mg, 50mg inj pd SC,
Mycamine 50mg inj pd IV, Remicade 100mg/vial inj.
Médicaments d'exception (changes to existing
indications recognized for payment): Advair,
Cancidas 50mg, 70mg inj pd IV, Symbicort. Not
listed or no indication recognized for payment
added (based on therapeutic value): Frova 2.5mg
tab, Invega 3mg, 6mg, 9mg ER tabs, Ralivia
100mg, 200mg, 300mg ER tabs, Sebivo 600mg tab,
Tridural 100mg, 200mg, 300 mg ER tabs, Zytram XL
150mg, 200mg, 300mg, 400mg ER tabs. Not listed
or no indication recognized for payment added
(based on economic or pharmacoeconomic data):
Aclasta 5mg/100ml perf sol IV, Actonel 75mg tab,
Cubicin 500mg inj pd IV, Eraxis 100mg inj pd IV.
Medications still under review: Cymbalta 30mg,
60mg DR caps, Emend 80mg, 125mg caps, Rasilez
150mg, 300mg tabs, Resultz 50% top sol. Liste de
médicaments du régime général only: Additions: Rituxan 10mg/ml perf sol IV.
Liste de
médicaments-établissements only:Médicaments
d'exception (based on new indications): Rituxan
10mg/ml perf sol IV.
• RAMQ has released
correction no1
to the Liste de médicaments, effective June 11,
2008. Highlights of the changes are listed
below.
Changes have been made to the Liste de
médicaments for the following drugs: Adalat XL
30mg ER tab, Novo-Naprox EC 250mg, 375mg, 500mg
tabs (or ent. tabs), Timolol Maleate-EX 0.25%,
0.5% oph gel forming sol.
Feedback regarding the Conseil's recent
actions in response to the Politique du
médicament Utilization of antibiotic drugs in
pediatric respiratory tract infections
Antibiotherapy: clinical guides
Utilization of antidepressant drugs in
children and young adults between 2001 to 2007
Asthma: personalized action plan
Table of principal recommendations by the
Conseil concerning the Liste de médicaments,
effective June 2, 2008
New Committee for the evaluation of drugs
used in the treatment of rare genetic metabolic
disease
Priority reviews involving monthly cost
savings
Liste de médicaments du régime général
d'assurance médicaments: prices management
Update on the treatment of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
• For the upcoming Liste de médicaments to be
released in June 2008: In response to the
pharmaceutical policy in the Politique du
médicament regarding fair and reasonable prices
for drugs listed on the Liste de médicaments,
the Conseil du médicament has announced that the
Ministry of Health and Social Services will
apply a maximum price payable (MPP) to establish
the defrayed payment by the Régie de l’assurance
maladie du Quebec (RAMQ). The upcoming Liste de
médicaments, to be released on June 2, 2008,
will introduce the first MPPs pertaining to 37
drugs : 24 products already listed but for which
the price increase requested by the manufacturer
exceeded the maximum allowance for 2008 and 13
new generic products to be listed on the
upcoming June 2008 Liste de médicaments. Note:
MPPs are not applicable to private plans.
• For the upcoming Liste de médicaments to be
released in October 2008: In accordance with the
Politique du médicament policy on the price of
first generic products listed limited to 60% of
the original brand price and to 54% for
subsequent generics, the Conseil is currently
reviewing all generic products already listed on
the Liste de médicaments. The Conseil will
forward the results of the review to the
Minister for the update of the upcoming Liste de
médicaments to be released in October 2008.
Manufacturers in charge of marketing generic
products may send any relevant comments or
observations to the Conseil by July 11, 2008 (Conseil
du médicament, Direction scientifique de
l'inscription, Information relative au PMP,
1195, avenue Lavigerie, bureau 100, Québec
(Québec), G1V 4N3). Note: The Conseil reminds
manufacturers that any price decrease may be
sent to the Conseil any time, using a Fiche du médicament.
Liste de
médicaments du régime général and the Liste
de médicaments-établissements: Médicaments
d'exception (new medications): Additions:
Isentress 400mg tab.
Other modifications made to the Liste de
médicaments: Prices of approximately 750
drugs were increased in accordance with the
maximum limits allowed, fixed at 1.21% and
1.82% for the year 2008. More information
about price increases is available on the
Conseil's website.
• The Conseil du médicament has added
Isentress (raltegravir) to the Liste de
médicaments following a priority review.
Isentress is a drug used for the treatment
of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced
adult patients who have evidence of viral
replication and HIV-1 strains resistant to
multiple antiretroviral agents. Please
consult the new capsule
CdM on Isentress for more details about
the principal decisions on recommendations.
• The lowest price method in the matter of
clozapine came into effect on April 21, 2008.
However, based on a RAMQ clause, patients
currently treated with the brand name drug,
Clozaril, will be able to continue receiving it
without having to pay for the difference in
price. More information can be obtained on the
Conseil's website.
• The Minister of Health and Social
Services has announced that a new
independent organization will be created by
merging the Conseil du médicament
with the Agence d’évaluation des
technologies et des modes d’intervention en
santé (AETMIS), and will become the Institut national d’excellence en santé
(INES). Details can be found
online.
• The lowest price method in the matter of
clozapine will be effective on April 21,
2008. More information regarding measures to
be taken by physicians by the effective date
are available on the
Conseil du médicament’s website.
• RAMQ is currently conducting an
information campaign for the public on
prescription drug insurance. Since 1997, all
Quebec residents must be covered by a
prescription drug insurance plan. However,
results from recent surveys undertaken by
the RAMQ have shown that clarifications
regarding this obligation needed to be made.
Please consult
RAMQ’s website for more information.
• Based on a modification to the
Regulation under the Loi sur l’assurance-médicaments,
the difference between manufacturers’
guaranteed selling price (GSP) for sales
to pharmacists and sales to wholesalers
must not exceed 6% (instead of the
previous 9%), effective January 31,
2008. For more information, please
consult the Law available on
Publications Quebec’s website.
• Another modification has been made
under the regulatory provisions: the
mark-up on the GSP for sales to
wholesalers is now limited to a maximum
of $24 (instead of $20). Products for
which the wholesaler’s mark-up is
limited to a maximum amount are listed
in Appendix VIII of the List of
Medications. Also, please note that
Appendices III and V of the Liste de
médicaments have been modified. More
details are available in
RAMQ’s Communiqué, dated February
20, 2008.
• RAMQ has released modification no
1,
Correction no 4 and
Correction no 5 to the Liste de
médicaments, effective February 22,
2008. A complete list of formulary
additions or changes can be accessed
from the links provided above.
Highlights of the changes are listed
below:
Liste de médicaments du régime
général and the Liste de
médicaments-établissements:
Médicaments d’exception (new
medications) : Additions: Apo-Pioglitazone
15mg, 30mg, 45mg tabs, Co
Pioglitazone 15mg, 30mg, 45mg tabs,
Gen-Pioglitazone 15mg, 30mg, 45mg
tabs, Novo-Pioglitazone 15mg, 30mg,
45mg tabs , pms-Pioglitazone 15mg,
30mg, 45mg tabs, ratio-Pioglitazone
15mg, 30mg, 45mg tabs, Sandoz
Pioglitazone 15mg, 30mg, 45mg tabs.
Not a benefit drug (Removed from
Listing): Novo-Ramipril 1.25mg
cap or tab. Changes have been
made to the Liste de médicaments for
the following drugs: Novo-Ketotifen
1 mg tab, Zaditen 1mg tab, Novo-Lexin
125 125mg/5ml oral susp, Novo-Lexin
250mg/5ml oral susp, Apo-Amoxi 500mg
cap, phl-Amoxicillin 500mg cap, pms-Amoxicillin
500mg cap, Apo-Amoxi 250mg/5ml oral
susp, Apo-Cloxi 500mg cap,
Cloxacilline-500 500mg cap, Novo-Cloxin
500mg cap, Nu-Cloxi 500mg cap,
Novo-Pen VK 250 to 300mg tabs,
Apo-Pen VK 250mg to 300mg/5ml oral
susp, Novo-Pen VK 500 250mg to
300mg/5ml oral susp, Apo-Digoxin
0.0625mg tab, Apo-ISMN 60mg tab ER,
Novo-Spiroton 25mg, 100mg tabs,
Aldactone 100mg tab, Novo-Nabumetone
750mg tab, Apo-Naproxen EC 250mg,
500mg tabs (or ent. tab),
Apo-Naproxen EC 375 375 mg tab (or
ent. tab), Doloral 1 1mg/ml syrup,
Doloral 5 5mg/ml syrup, K-Citra
10mmol (K+) tab ER, Aldactazide
25mg-25mg tab, Novo-Spirozine
25mg-25mg tab, Novo-Spirozine-50
50mg-50mg tab, Theophyllin
80mg/15ml, Vitamin D 400 IU cap or
tab. Médicaments d’exception:
Novo-Betahistine 16mg, 24mg tabs,
Codeine 25mg/5ml syrup, Docusate
Sodium 20mg/5ml syrup, Diamicron MR
30mg tab, Apo-Glimepiride 1mg, 2mg,
4mg tabs, pms-Glimepiride 1mg, 2mg
tabs, Milk of Magnesia 400mg/5ml
oral susp.
• The Conseil du médicament has released a
list of
34 generic products under reviewww, for
the next Formulary to be published in June
2008. This is the second list made available
by the Conseil: prior publications had only
included new drugs, new strengths, or new
indications for drugs already listed.
• In response to the
Politique du
médicament, the Conseil du médicament will
now publish a Capsule CdM, based on the
previous Capsules pharmacothérapeutiques.
The new Capsule CdM will present details
about the principal decisions on
recommendations. The goal of this new
publication is to facilitate transparency by
providing the public and health professionals
access to the Conseil’s recommendations and
their decision rationales. More details can be
found in the latest Bulletin CDM Express, Vol. 5
No. 1 (please see below).
• Please see below for a list
of the
principal decisions
by the Conseil du médicament regarding the
Liste de médicaments, effective February
1st, 2008.
Liste de
médicaments du régime général and the Liste
de médicaments-établissements:
Médicaments d’exception (new medications):
Additions: Mezavant 1.2g LA tab.
Médicaments d'exception (new medications):
Mycamine 50mg inj pd IV, Spriafil 40mg/ml
oral susp, Thelin 100mg tab. Médicaments
d'exception (based on new indications):
Humira 40mg inj sol SC. Médicaments
d'exception (changes to existing indications
recognized for payment): Aptivus 250mg
cap, Cancidas 50mg, 70mg inj pd IV, Ebixa
10mg tab, Fuzeon 108mg inj pd SC, Prezista
300mg tab. Not listed (based on new
medications, new indications or new
utilization criteria): Avamys 27.5mcg
nasal vap, Campral 333mg LA tab, Elaprase
2mg/ml perf sol IV, Resultz 50% p/p capil
sol. Indications not listed (based on
economic or pharmacoeconomic data):
Mycamine 50mg inj pd IV, Spriafil 40mg/ml
oral susp. Liste de médicaments du
régime général only: Additions:
Sidekick and TrueTrack systems.
Liste de médicaments-établissements only:
Additions: Eloxatin 5mg/ml perf sol IV.
Additions (based on new recognized
criteria): Camptosar/Irinotecan 20mg/ml
inj sol.
• The Minister of Health and Social
Services has accepted the Conseil du
médicament’s recommendation in the matter of clozapine. As of April 2008, the lowest
price method will be applicable. For more
details, please consult the
Conseil’s website.
• The Conseil du médicament has begun the
review process for the addition of new
drugs, new strengths, or new indication for
a drug already listed, to the next published
Formulary, which will be available in June
2008.
Comments regarding the 44 drugs under review
may be sent to the Conseil until February
4th, 2008 by
e-maill
or by mail (Conseil du médicament, Direction
générale, 1195, avenue Lavigerie, 1er étage,
Bureau 100, Québec (Québec), G1V 4N3).
Note: The provided list does not include
requests for listing of generic products,
which will be added later on. Manufacturers
of the products under review have signed a
Letter of Authorization for publication
purposes.
• RAMQ has released
modification nº 4 to the Liste de
médicaments, effective December 19,
2007.
Liste de médicaments du régime
général and the Liste de
médicaments-établissements:
Additions: Co Lisinopril 5mg,
10mg, 20mg tabs, Gen-Lisinopril 5mg,
10mg, 20mg tabs, Novo-Lisinopril
(Type P) 5mg, 10mg, 20mg tabs, Novo-Lisinopril
(Type Z) 5mg, 10mg, 20mg tabs,
pms-Lisinopril 5mg, 10mg, 20mg tabs,
Ran-Lisinopril 5mg, 10mg, 20mg tabs,
ratio-Lisinopril P 5mg, 10mg, 20mg
tabs, ratio-Lisinopril Z 5mg, 10mg,
20mg tabs, Sandoz Lisinopril 5mg,
10mg, 20mg tabs.
Changes have been made to the Liste
de médicaments for the following
drugs: Apo-Lisinopril 5mg, 10mg,
20mg tabs, Prinivil 5mg, 10mg, 20mg
tabs, Zestril 5 mg, 10mg, 20mg tabs.
• The Conseil du médicament has added
generic forms of Lisinopril to the Liste
de médicaments, following a priority
review. These drugs additions involve
monthly savings for the government. For
more information, please consult their
website.
• The Conseil du médicament has added
a new indication for payment and a new
utilization criterion to the exception
drug Sprycel (dasatinib). Please consult
the
Conseil’s website for more
information.
• The Conseil du médicament has published its
Plan stratégique
2007-2010,
which presents issues, action plans and
objectives the Conseil intends to focus on
during the next three years.
Liste de médicaments du régime
général and the Liste de médicaments-établissements:
Médicaments d’exception (new medications): Lucentis 10mg/ml
inj sol.
Changes have been made to the
Liste de médicaments for the following drugs: Apo-Ranitidine
150mg tab, Co Ranitidine 150mg tab, Gen-Ranitidine 150mg tab,
Novo-Ranitidine 150mg tab, Phl-Ranitidine 150mg tab, pms-Ranitidine
150mg tab, Ranitidine-150 150mg tab, Ratio-Ranitidine 150mg tab,
Riva-Ranitidine 150mg tab, Sandoz Ranitidine 150mg tab, Zantac
150mg tab, Apo-Ranitidine 300mg tab, Co Ranitidine 300mg tab,
Gen-Ranitidine 300mg tab, Novo-Ranitidine 300mg tab, Phl-Ranitidine
300mg tab, pms-Ranitidine 300mg tab, Ranitidine-300 300mg tab,
Ratio-Ranitidine 300mg tab, Riva-Ranitidine 300mg tab, Sandoz
Ranitidine 300mg tab, Zantac 300mg tab.
• The Conseil du médicament has added Lucentis (ranibizumab)
to the Liste de médicaments, following a priority review, as an
exceptional medication for the treatment of neovascular (wet)
age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Please visit the Conseil’s website
for more information on the amendment regarding this
addition.
Note:
Priority review requests involving
monthly savings for the government ($200,000)
received by the Conseil before 4:30 p.m. on
the last business day of the month will be reviewed
by the Comité scientifique de l’inscription
and the Conseil du médicament, at their next
scheduled meeting.
• RAMQ has released
modification nº 2 to the Liste de médicaments, effective
November 7, 2007.
Liste de médicaments du régime
général and the Liste de médicaments-établissements:
Additions: Apo-Enalapril 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, Novo-Olanzapine
2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg, 10mg, 15mg. Price changes: Vasotec
2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg, 20mg.
• The Conseil du médicament has added Apo-Enalapril and Novo-Olanzapine
to the Liste de médicaments following a priority review, based
on notable monthly savings for the government. For more
information, please consult their
website.
• The Conseil du médicament has published the new deadline
to submit price decreases for generic products, previously
announced as September 28, 2007. Manufacturers are asked to
review prices for all their interchangeable drug products
already listed, as well as for their products for which a
request has been sent, in order to be included in the next
Formulary (February 2008). Please note that these prices are
required to be within the regulations mentioned in the Politique du médicament. More details are available on the
Conseil du médicament's website.
NOTE: Manufacturers have until
Friday October
26, 2007 4:30 p.m. to send by mail to the Conseil (Conseil
du médicament, Direction scientifique de l'inscription,
1195, avenue Lavigerie, bureau 100, Québec (Québec), G1V
4N3) any price changes regarding generic products.
•
The deadline to submit price decreases to the Conseil du
médicament for generic products, previously announced as
September 28, 2007, has been postponed. Another TargetPharma
will be sent once the new date is released by the Conseil du
médicament. More information can be found on the Conseil du
médicament’s website.
The Conseil du médicament has issued the latest Bulletin
CdM
Express, Vol.4 No.3 (October 2007). The bulletin announces:
Formulary publishing dates and respective deadlines
to submit request.
Table of principal decisions by the Conseil du
médicament concerning the Liste de médicaments,
effective October 1, 2007.
The addition of Sprycel to the Formulary following a
priority review.
Drug trends since 2004 regarding benzodiazepines,
antidepressants and tranquilizers.
The lowest price method in the matter of clozapine.
The Conseil du médicament is inviting stakeholders to
take part in the 2007 Annual Conference presented by the
Association pour la santé publique du Québec (ASPQ), to be
held on November 21 and 22, 2007, at Fairmont The Queen
Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. This year’s topic is ‘’Accès
aux médicaments et mondialisation: enjeux éthiques et
sociaux’’. For more information, please visit the
ASPQ website.
• Please see below for a list of the
principal
decisions by the Conseil du
médicament regarding the Liste de médicaments, effective October
1st, 2007.
Liste de médicaments du régime général and the Liste de
médicaments-établissements:Additions: Advicor 500/20mg,
1000/20mg, 1000/40mg tabs, Champix 0.5mg, 1mg tabs, Somatuline
Autogel 60mg/0.3ml, 90mg/0.3ml, 120mg/0.5ml. Médicaments
d’exception (new medications): Ventolin Diskus 200mcg inh pd.
Médicaments d’exception (based on new indications): Remicade
100mg perf IV. Médicaments d’exception (changes to existing
indications recognized for payment): Aptivus, Aranesp, Dostinex
0.5mg tab, Eprex, Fuzeon 108mg inj pd, Prezista, Xeloda 150mg,
500mg tabs. Not listed (based on new medications, new
indications or new utilization criteria): Adderall XR 5mg, 10mg,
15mg, 20mg, 25mg, 30mg caps, Exjade 125mg, 250mg, 500mg tabs, Fosavance 70mg + 70 µg (2800 IU vitamin D3), Tramacet 37.5mg +
325mg. No change from previous decisions: Plavix 75mg tab,
Remicade 100mg perf IV. Liste de médicaments du régime général
only:Médicaments d’exception (new medications): Microlipid 89ml
liq, PegLyte 70g, 280g oral pd. Additions to the Médicament
magistral section: Ophthalmic preparation of cyclosporin 1%, 2%
eye drops. Transfer to the main section of the Liste: Amphojel
600mg tab. Liste de médicaments-établissements only:Not listed
(based on new medications or new utilization criteria): Alimta
500mg perf pd IV, Amphotec 50mg, 100mg perf pd IV, Pico-Salax
3.5gm, 12gm, 10mg oral pd.
• The Conseil du médicament has released on its website
the list of generic products under review,
to date, for the next published Formulary (February 2008). This
is the second list made available by the Conseil: prior
publication had only included new drugs, new strengths, or new
indication for a drug already listed.
Comments regarding these 32 generic products under review may
be sent to the Conseil by e-mail or by mail
(Conseil du médicament, Direction générale, 1195, avenue
Lavigerie, 1er étage, Bureau 100, Québec (Québec), G1V 4N3).
• The Conseil du médicament has begun
the review process for the addition of
new drugs, new strengths, or new
indication for a drug already listed, to
the next published Formulary, which will
be available in February 2008. In
response to a request in the Politique
du médicament and to clarify its review
process, the Conseil has made public for
the first time the
list of drugs under review. Comments
regarding the 27 drugs under review may
be sent to the Conseil until
September 30th, 2007 by e-mail (cdm@cdm.gouv.qc.ca)
or by mail (Conseil du médicament,
Direction générale, 1195, avenue
Lavigerie, 1er étage, Bureau 100, Québec
(Québec), G1V 4N3).
Note: The provided list does not
include requests for listing of
generic products, which will be
added later on. Manufacturers of the
products under review have signed a
Letter of Authorization for
publication purposes.
• The Conseil du médicament has released
modifications and
corrections
to the Liste de médicaments, effective August 2, 2007.
Liste de médicaments du régime général:Additions: Sprycel 20mg, 50mg, 70mg tabs. Deletions upon manufacturer’s
request: Diphenist 50mg/ml inj sol (Omega), Morphine 2mg/ml
(Mayne). Liste de médicaments-établissement: Additions: Sprycel 20mg, 50mg, 70mg tabs.
Other changes have been made to the Liste des médicaments
for the following drugs: Apo-Calcitonin 200 IU/dose nasal
spray, Apo-Sertraline 100mg cap, Cortoderm 1% top crm, Co
Sertraline 100mg cap, Diodoquin 210mg, 650mg tabs, Diphenhydramine 50mg/ml inj sol, Morphine 2mg/ml inj sol,
Phl-Sertraline 100mg cap, Plavix 75mg tab, pms-Sertraline
100mg cap, Ratio-Sertraline 100mg cap, Risperdal Consta
25mg, 37.5mg, 50mg inj pd IM, Riva-Sertraline 100mg cap,
Sertraline-100 100mg cap.
• An updated
Liste de médicaments - régime général d'assurance
medicaments, dated
June 27, 2007, is now available. However,
please note that
Corrections 2 and 3 have been released
since. We will provide an updated Liste
de medicaments as soon as it is made available
on the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec’s
website.
Please see below for a list of the
principal decisions by the Conseil du
médicament concerning the Liste de medicaments,
effective June 22, 2007.
Liste
de médicaments du régime générale and
the Liste de médicaments-établissements:
Additions: Alvesco 100mcg/dose,
200mcg/dose oral aero, Apo-Digoxin 0.0625mg,
0.125mg, 0.25mg tabs, Fosamax 70mg/75mL
oral sol. Médicaments d’exception
(new medications): Biphentin 10mg,
15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60 mg
LA caps, Levemir 100U/mL (3mL) SC inj
sol , Orencia 250mg perf pd IV, Tygacil
50mg perf pd IV. Médicaments d’exception
(based on new indications and new utilization
criteria): Hepsera 10mg tab, Humira
40mg SC inj sol, Sutent 12.5mg, 25mg,
50mg caps. Médicaments d’exception
(modification of recognized indications
and utilization criteria): Pegasys
RBV, Pegetron, Pegetron Redipen, Zyvoxam
600mg tab, Zyvoxam 2mg/mL perf sol IV.
Not listed: Exjade 125mg, 250mg,
500mg tabs, Enbrel 25mg inj pd SC, Factive
320mg tab, Fosrenol 250mg, 500mg, 750mg,
1000mg chew tabs, Nexavar 200mg tab,
Raptiva 150mg inj sol SC, Remicade 100mg
perf pd IV, Tracleer 62.5mg, 125mg tabs,
Zytram XL 150mg, 200mg, 300mg, 400mg
LA tabs, Tysabri 300mg/15mL perf sol
IV, Humatrope 6mg, 12mg, 24mg cartridge,
Humatrope 5mg inj pd. No change from
previous decisions: Avandia 2mg,
4mg, 8mg tabs, Neupogen 300mcg/mL 1.0
mL, 300mcg/mL 1.6mL inj sol. Liste
de médicaments-établissements: Additions:
Voluven 6% inj sol. Not listed:
Myozyme 50mg perf pd IV. No change
from previous decision: MabCampath
10mg/mL (3mL) inj sol IV.
The Conseil du médicament has also released
its list of
price increases, effective June 22,
2007.
• The Conseil du médicament has issued
the latest Bulletin CdM Express,
Vol.4 No.2 (June 2007).
• The
Minister of Health and Social Services has
announced that, as of April 18, 2007,
manufacturers are allowed to increase the
price of their drugs, up to a maximum of
2.03% (the maximum for 2007), among other
criteria.
• The ministère de la Santé et des Services
sociaux (MSSS) issued its new Drug Policy
on February 1, 2007, to present its 29 global
and integrated orientations as well as strategies
to ensure access to drugs, to establish
a fair and reasonable price, to ensure optimal
use of drugs, and to maintain a dynamic
biopharmaceutical industry in Quebec. Details
of implementation of these measures will
be determined and disclosed within the next
three years. An electronic copy of the Drug
Policy is available on the
Quebec MSSS website and some of the
policies impacting manufacturers are presented
below.
To ensure access to medications:
A new category of exception drugs
requiring follow-up will be created
to improve access to medications, and
the process for reimbursing exception
drugs will be reviewed and simplified
The listing decision will continue
to be based on clinical and cost-effectiveness
data, and a new process will be elaborated
for drugs intended for rare metabolic
diseases.
As of July 2007, financial contributions
will no longer be required from approximately
280,000 low-income individuals.
To establish a fair and reasonable
price:
As long as the manufacturer enters
into an agreement with the MSSS to attenuate
the budget impact, drugs listed for
more than two years will be allowed
an annual price increase in April of
each year, limited to 2.03% in 2007
and to the change in CPI in the following
years.
As of 2009, manufacturers will be
allowed up to 1.5 times the maximum
increase for the current year as long
as they have not taken the allowed price
increase in the previous 2 years.
As of June 2007, the price for the
first generic listed will be limited
to 60% of the original brand price and
to 54% for the following generics.
Manufacturers will continue to offer
the lowest price available in Canada
for innovative and generic products.
Wholesaler mark-ups will not exceed
7%, up to a maximum of $28.
To ensure optimal use of drugs:
The Conseil du médicament will implement
measures to ensure optimal use of drugs,
such as home medicine review, transmission
of the therapeutic intention (diagnosis
or symptoms to treat), and physicians’
prescription profiles.
The Info-Health service will be
expanded to include an Info-Drug service
and a website will be created to present
drug information.
The MSSS will regulate commercial
practices through changes in manufacturers’
and wholesalers’ commitments, such as:
Promotional activities to follow
the Conseil’s criteria for optimal
use of drugs,
Professional allowances for
pharmacists, not to exceed 20% of
purchases, will be spent solely
to improve professional services
and will need to be reported annually.
To maintain a dynamic biopharmaceutical
industry:
The MSSS will maintain the 15-year
rule and will not implement reference
pricing.
The MSSS will negotiate partnership
agreements with manufacturers’ associations
to structure research, evaluation, patient
information, and professional education,
as well as agreements with manufacturers
to address class-specific utilization
problems.
Manufacturers will be allowed to
propose 3-years risk-sharing agreements,
mostly for exception drugs, committing
to the reimbursement of a proportion
of drug expenditures should the level
of utilization exceed established optimal
use levels.
Liste
de médicaments du régime générale and
the Liste de médicaments-établissements:
Additions: Linessa 0.025mg/0.100mg,
0.025mg/0.125mg, 0.025mg/0.150mg tabs,
Préparations magistrales ophthalmiques
d’amphotéricine B, de ceftazidime, de
fluconazole et de pédicilline G.
Transfer for the regular section of
the Liste: Norprolac75mcg, 150mcg
tabs. Not listed: Biphentin 10mg,
15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg LA
tabs, Denavir 1% top cr, Orencia 250mg
perf pd I.V., Rituxan 10mg/mL perf sol
I.V., Tracleer 62.5mg, 125mg tabs, Remicade
100mg perf pd I.V. Exceptional Medications
(new medications): Aptivus 250mg
cap, Azilect 0.5mg, 1mg tabs, Baraclude
0.5mg tab and 0.05mg/mL oral sol, Prezista
300mg tab, Revatio 20mg tab, Uromax
10mg, 15mg LA tabs, Vesicare 5mg, 10mg
tabs. Exceptional Medications (based
on new indications and new utilization
criteria): Betaseron 0.3mg inj pd,
Humira 40mg S.C. inj sol (ser). Exceptional
Medications (modification of recognized
indications): Betahistine (Serc,
Novo-Betahistine), Combinaisons d’antiviraux
utilisés pour le traitement de l’hépatite
C chronique (Pegasys RBV, Pegetron,
Pegetron Redipen), Fuzeon 108mg S.C.
inj pd, Macugen 0.3mg inj sol (ser),
Marinol 2.5mg, 5mg 10mg caps, Médicaments
pour le traitement de la sclérose en
plaques de forme rémittente (Avonex,
Betaseron, Copaxone, Rebif), Clozapine
(Clozaril, Gen-Clozapine, Apo-Clozapine)
Liste de médicaments-établissements:
New utilization criteria: Rituxan
10mg/mL perf sol I.V. Not listed:
Abraxane 100mg inj pd I.V.
• RAMQ has released modifications to
the
Liste de médicaments, effective December
13, 2006.
Liste
de médicaments du régime générale and
the Liste de médicaments-établissements:
Exceptional Medications (new medications):
Sutent™ 12.5mg, 25mg, 50mg caps (pour
le traiement des tumeurs stromales gastro
intestinales). Not listed: Sutent™
12.5mg, 25mg, 50mg caps (pour le traitment
de l'adénocarcinome rénal). Liste
de médicaments-établissements: Addition
of new medication with utilization criteria:
Velcade™ 3.5mg I.V. Pd Inj.
Liste
de médicaments du régime générale and
the Liste de médicaments-établissements:
Additions: Lipidil™ EZ 48mg, 145mg
tabs, Trelstar™ and Trelstar™ 3.75mg,
11.75mg Susp. Inj. I.M. Transfer
to the regular section of the Liste:
Métadol™ 1mg, 5mg, 10mg, 25mg tabs,
Videx™ EC 125mg, 200mg, 250mg, 400mg
ent caps. Not listed: Advicor™
500mg/20mg, 1000mg/20mg LA tabs, Raptiva™
150mg Sol Inj S.C., Levemir™ 100U/mL
(3mL) Sol Inj S.C., PhosLo™ 667mg tab.
Exceptional Medications (new medications):
Aclasta™ 5mg/100mL Sol Perf I.V., Adderall
XR™ 5mg, 10mg, 20mg, 25mg, 30mg LA caps,
Sensipar™ 30mg, 60mg, 90mg tabs.
Exceptional Medications (additions based
on new indications and new utilization
criteria for reimbursement): Gleevec™
100mg caps or tabs and 400mg tabs.
Modification of recognized indications:
Enbrel™ 25mg Pd Inj, Remicade™ 100mg
Pd Perf. I.V., Humira™ 40mg Sol Inj
S.C. (ser), Lantus™ 100 U/mL Sol Inj
S.C., Concerta™ 18mg, 27mg, 36mg, 54mg
LA tabs, Strattera™ 10mg, 18mg, 25mg,
40mg, 60mg caps, Tarceva™ 100mg, 150mg
tabs. Liste de médicaments-etablissements:
Not listed: Zemplar™ 5mcg/mL Sol
Inj I.V.
• RAMQ has released
modifications to the Liste de medicaments,
effective February 8, 2006.
• The Conseil du médicament
has issued the latest Bulletin
CdM Express Vol.3 No.1 (January 2006).
• Bill 130 was tabled by
the Quebec Minister of Health and Social
Services on Nov. 11th, 2005 after a public
consultation on the Quebec Drug Policy.
Bill 130 amends various aspects of the Prescription
Drug Insurance Act. It gives the Minister
of Health and Social Services the power
to make agreements with drug manufacturers
on financial risk sharing for specific medications
and on compensatory measures. It provides
that amounts received under these agreements
may be paid into the prescription drug insurance
fund. In addition, it requires that drug
manufacturers and wholesalers establish
rules to govern their commercial practices
and gives the Minister the power to establish
such rules if they fail to do so among themselves.
The bill also provides that medications
are to be supplied free of charge to seniors
receiving the maximum amount of monthly
guaranteed income supplement.
•
The Régie de l'assurance maladie has announced
changes to the rates payable under the
Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan
(French only). Seniors receiving the
maximum GIS can now obtain their prescription
drugs
free of charge.
• RAMQ has released its
annual statistics, available
here.
• The Conseil du médicament
has issued a
position statement on direct consumer
advertisting of prescription medications.
Le Conseil du médicament
has also issued the
latest Bulletin CdM Express Vol.1 No.2
(June 2004).
Le Conseil du médicament
has issued
amendments to the 15th Edition of the
List of Medications effective June 30th,
2004.
• RAMQ has announced changes to the contribution
payable to the Public Prescription Drug
Insurance Plan by certain insured persons
will be adjusted, effective July 1st, 2004.
• Quebec Health Minister Philippe Couillard
has confirmed that drug plan premiums will
increase July 1st, but it is not by more
than eight per cent. The drug plan
experienced a growth in costs of 12-13 per
cent last year, and the government is looking
for increased contributions from beneficiaries.
With a drug plan budget of $2.5 billion
this year, the government covered $1.8 billion
of the cost, up $200 million from last year.
Source: IMS Health Edition
May 14, 2004 Volume 8 Issue 19
• Le Conseil du médicament has issued
amendments and
corrections to the 15th Edition of the
List of Medications effective April 28th,
2004.
• The Conseil du médicament has announced
February 27th, 2004 that due to delays and
difficulty in obtaining the document, the
Reviewer's Report from Health Canada is
not required at the time of a manufacturer's
submission. Once the Conseil du médicament
has received a letter of authorization from
manufacturers, the Conseil can ask Health
Canada to transfer the document directly
to them.
Click here for more information.
•Le Conseil du
médicament announced
amendments to 15th edition of the listes
de médicaments effective January 28th, 2004.
• The Conseil du medicament
has issued a
notice announcing changes to the manufacturers
submission requirements for Quebec including
a revised submission form and
letter templates.
• Quebec postpones February Liste
de médicaments. The Quebec Minister
of Health (Philippe Couillard) has decided
to postpone the February edition of the
Liste des médicaments citing the extraordinary
number of requests for price increases by
manufacturers. In the interim, a multipartite
committee will be re-examining Quebec’s
“no price increase” policy that has been
in place since 1994.
Click here for more information.
• New Brunswick has released Update 3 to Volume 51 of the New Brunswick Formulary.
• New Brunswick has released Update 2 to Volume 51 of the New Brunswick Formulary.
• New Brunswick has released Update 1 to Volume 51 of the New Brunswick Formulary.
• The New Brunswick Prescription Drug
Program (NBPDP)
Bulletin Issue # 715, dated May 7, 2008,
has been released. Please refer to the
bulletin for reasons for products reviewed
and not listed, and for specific treatments
or indications a product is not listed for.
Special
Authorization Additions: Humira 40mg in
0.8mL (50mg/mL) sol for subc inj, Baraclude
0.5mg tabs, Biphentin 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg
40mg, 50mg, 60mg CR caps, Tracleer 62.5mg,
125mg tabs. Special Authorization –
Revised Criteria: Plavix 75mg tabs.
Drugs Reviewied and Not Listed: Elaprase
6mg vial for IV infusion, Concerta 18mg,
27mg, 36mg, 54mg CD tabs.
• The New Brunswick Prescription Drug
Program (NBPDP)
Bulletin Issue # 711, dated March 27,
2008, has been released. Please refer to the
bulletin for reasons for products reviewed
and not listed, and for specific treatments
or indications a product is not listed for.
• The New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program
(NBPDP) Bulletin issue # 699,
dated November 22, 2007, has been released. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) is now available as a
Special Authorization benefit for NBPDP
beneficiaries who are residents of long-term
care (LTC) facilities. Please see the bulletin
for the Special Authorization criteria and for
more information.
•
The New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program (NBPDP)
Bulletin issue # 698, dated November 5, 2007, has been
released.
• The New Brunswick Product Selection
Committee has released a
New Brunswick Formulary Volume 48 update,
Update No. 3 , dated February 23,
2007. Please note that changes in the interchangeable
products list do not necessarily reflect
changes in drug benefit plan formularies.
not listed:
Additions:
Sandoz Alendronate 5mg, 10mg, 70mg tabs,
ratio-Bupropion SR 100mg, 150mg SRT,
pms-Famciclovir 125mg, 250mg, 500mg
tabs, Sandoz-Fenofibrate S 100mg, 160mg
tabs, ratio-Fentanyl Transdermal 25mcg,
50mcg, 75mcg, 100mcg Srd, Apo-Medroxy
10mg tab, Apo-Ondansetron 4mg, 8mg tabs,
ratio-Trazodone 50mg, 100mg, 150mg tabs.
New Interchangeable Rings: Lanoxin
and Apo-Digozin 0.0625mg tab, Lanoxin,
Apo-Digoxin and pms-Digoxin 0.125mg
tab, Lanoxin, Apo-Digoxin and pms-Digoxin
0.25mg, Losec and ratio-Omeprazole 20mg
SRT, Mirapex, pms-Pramipexole and Novo-Pramipexole
0.25mg tab, Mirapex, pms-Pramipexole
and Novo-Pramipexole 0.5mg tab, Mirapex,
pms-Pramipexole and Novo-Pramipexole
1mg tab, Mirapex, pms-Pramipexole and
Novo-Pramipexole 1.5mg tab, Altace,
Apo-Ramipril and ratio-Ramipril 1.25mg
cap, Altace, Apo-Ramipril and ratio-Ramipril
2.5mg cap, Altace, Apo-Ramipril and
ratio-Ramipril 5mg cap, Altace, Apo-Ramipril
and ratio-Ramipril 10mg cap, Urso and
pms-Ursodiol C 250mg tab, Urso and pms-Ursodiol
C 500mg tab.
• The New Brunswick Prescription Drug
Program (NBPDP)
Bulletin issue # 671, dated December
20, 2006, has been released.
The New Brunswick Product Selection Committee
has released two New Brunswick Formulary
Volume 48 updates, Update Nos.
1 and
2, dated October 16, 2006 and December
4, 2006, respectively.
Ninety-eight drug products were added
to the interchangeable pharmaceutical products
list in Update No. 1 while fifty-nine drug
products that were added to the list in
Update No. 2.
• The New BrunswickPrescription Drug Program (NBPDP)
Bulletin issue # 669, dated November
30, 2006, has been released. Oseltamivir
(Tamiflu®) is now available as a special
authorization benefit for NBPDP beneficiaries
who are residents of long-term care (LTC)
facilities (refers to licensed nursing homes
and does not include special care homes).
• The New BrunswickPrescription Drug Program (NBPDP)
Bulletin issue # 665, dated October
16, 2006, has been released.
• New Brunswick Health and Wellness has
issued the latest New Brunswick Prescription
Drug Program Formulary update,
Bulletin #617, dated March 15, 2005.
• New Brunswick Health and Wellness has
issued the
latest update to the New Brunswick Prescription
Drug Program Formulary, effective January
26, 2005.
• New Brunswick Health and Wellness has
announced provincial funding for methadone
programs begins in January 2005. More information
is
available here.
• NewBrunswick Health and Wellness
has released the latest benefit changes
to the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program
Formulary (NBPDP Formulary) in the new
Bulletin #606, effective October 13,
2004.
• The New Brunswick Department of Health
and Wellness has issued
update No. 2 to Volume 46 of the New
Brunswick Formulary (NB Formulary) effective
October 8th, 2004. The NB Formulary is a
listing of interchangeable pharmaceutical
products published by the Product Selection
Committee. It is not a benefit formulary.
Also, the New Brunswick Health and Wellness
has released the latest benefit changes
to the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program
Formulary (NBPDP Formulary) in the new
Bulletin #604, effective October 7th,
2004 and in
Bulletin #605, effective October 8th,
2004.
• New BrunswickHealth and Wellness
has released the latest benefit changes
to the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program
Formulary in the new
Bulletin #598, effective June 24, 2004.
• New Brunswick has issued
Bulletin #593 outlining the latest benefit
changes to the New Brunswick Prescription
Drug Program effective April 30th, 2004.
• New Brunswick Department of Health
and Wellness has issued the latest update
to the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Plan
Formulary,
Bulletin # 590, effective March 26,
2004.
• New Brunswick Department of Health
and Wellness has issued
update no. 5 to Volume 45 of the New
Brunswick Formulary effective March 26th,
2004.
• New Brunswick Health and Wellness has
issued the
latest update to the New Brunswick Prescription
Drug Program formulary in Bulletin #585
effective January 30th, 2004.
• Nova Scotia has released the December Pharmacists’ Bulletin Volume 09-11. Highlights include new products added to the Nova Scotia Formulary.
• Nova Scotia has released the November Pharmacists’ Bulletin Volume 09-10. Highlights include new products added to the Nova Scotia Formulary.
• Nova Scotia has released the October Pharmacists’ Bulletin – Volume 09-09 Highlights include a correction to the NS Formulary regarding Sandoz Lisinopril.
• Nova Scotia has released the September Pharmacists’ Bulletin Volume 09-08. Highlights include new Interchangeable Products added to the Formulary.
• NS has released the June 2009 Edition of the Pharmacist’s Bulletin which highlights Formulary updates on Atacand, Insupen, EZ Oracle Test Strips, EZ Health Lancets, Apidra, Protopic, Viread and Adalat XL Plus.
• NS has released the May edition of the Pharmacist’s Bulletin which highlights Formulary updates on Volibris, Xarelto, Pradax and Relistor
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program has released a
new Pharmacists’ Bulletin #08-04, dated April 2008. A complete
list of formulary additions or changes can be accessed from the
link provided above. Below are highlights of the bulletin:
New Benefits for the Seniors’
Pharmacare, Community Services Pharmacare and Diabetes
Assistance Programs: Medlance Plus Extra 200’s 21G 2.4mm,
Medlance Plus Universal 200’s 21G 1.8mm, Medlance Plus Lite
200’s 25G 1.5mm.
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare
Program has released a new
Pharmacists’ Bulletin #08-03, dated
March 2008. The bulletin announces that
there will be no premium or maximum
copayment increases in the Seniors’
Pharmacare program from 2007-2008. However,
the $30.00 per prescription copayment
maximum has been removed. Below are other
highlights of the bulletin:
New Benefits for
the Seniors’ Pharmacare and Community
Services Pharmacare Programs: Cuprimine
250mg cap, pms-Amiodarane 100mg tab, pms-Hydrochlorothiazide
12.5mg tab. New Benefits for the Seniors’
Pharmacare, Community Services Pharmacare
and Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients
Programs: pms-Paroxetine 40mg tab. Not
Insured: Reyataz 300mg cap. New Diabetic
Products: FreeStyle Lite Test Strips 50/box,
100/box. Additions to Exception Criteria for
Selected Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)
Agents: Remicade in chronique plaque
psoriasis (PsO), Humira in moderate to
severely active Chron’s disease, Humira &
Enbrel in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare
Program has released a new
Pharmacists’ Bulletin #08-01, dated
January 2008. The bulletin contains
categories removed from the Pharmacare
Reimbursement List, manufacturer shortage of
lowest priced brands, new Special MAC
categories and price increases to selected
MACs. Below are highlights of the bulletin:
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program has released a
new Pharmacists’ Bulletin #07-09, dated October 2007. The
bulletin provides information regarding the coverage of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) under the Nova Scotia Pharmacare Program.
New Benefit: Losec 20mg cap.
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program has
released a new Pharmacists’ Bulletin #07-08,
dated August 2007. Please refer to the bulletin for New Ostomy
Care Products and Interchangeable Products added to the NS
Formulary.
New Benefits for the Seniors’ Pharmacare and Community Services
Pharmacare Programs: Altace HCT 2.5/12.5mg, 5/12.5mg, 10/12.5mg,
5/25mg, 10/25mg tabs. New Benefits for the Seniors’ Pharmacare,
Community Services Pharmacare and Drug Assistance for Cancer
Patients Programs: Somatuline Autogel 60mg/0.3mL, 90mg/0.3mL,
120mg/0.3mL syringe inj. Exception Status: Exjade 125mg, 250mg,
500mg tabs for susp, Orencia 250mg/vial inj. Not Insured: Azilect 0.5mg, 1mg tabs, Denavir 1% cr, Tramacet Tab, Vantas
50mg/vial inj. Discontinued: Permax 0.05mg, 0.25mg 1mg tabs.
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program has
released a new Pharmacists’ Bulletin #07-07,
dated July 2007. Please refer to the bulletin for numerous
products discontinued, delisted or removed from the Pharmacare Reimbursement List/Formulary.
The bulletin announces that a new Pharmacare Tariff
Agreement has been signed by the Pharmacy Association of
Novo Scotia (PANS) and the Nova Scotia Department of Health,
effective August 15, 2007 to March 31, 2010. The changes to
the new tariff include a new Pharmacare Reimbursement List,
which replaces the Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) list, as
well as new tariff levels. Please refer to the bulletin for
more information.
• The Nova Scotia
Seniors’ Pharmacare Program has released
a new Pharmacists’
Bulletin #07-06, dated June 2007.
New Benefits
for the Seniors’ Pharmacare and Community
Services Pharmacare Programs: Avalide
300/25mg tab. Exception Status:
DDAVP MELT 60mcg, 120mcg tabs, Pariet
20mg EC tab. Not Insured: Kaletra
300/50mg tab. New Benefits for the
Seniors’ Pharmacare, Community Services
Pharmacare and Drug Assistance for Cancer
Patients Programs: pms-Dexamethasone
2mg tab. Delisted (effective Aug.
1, 2007): zopiclone 7.5mg tablets.
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’
Pharmacare Program has released a new
Pharmacists’ Bulletin #07-04, dated
March 2007. The bulletin announces changes
to the Seniors’ Pharmacare Program effective
April 1, 2007. Please refer to the bulletin
for the benefit status of the products listed
below.
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program
has released a new
Pharmacists’ Bulletin #07-03, dated
March 2007. The bulletin provides an update
on planned changes to the Maximum Allowable
Cost (MAC) and the special MAC pricing policy.
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare
Program has released a new
Pharmacists’ Bulletin #06-13, dated
November 2006. A complete list of formulary
additions or changes can be accessed from
the provided link.
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’
Pharmacare Program has released a new Pharmacists’
Bulletin #06-08, dated June 2006. Please
note that there will no longer be a mark-up
included in the Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC)
price as of July 1, 2006.
Special
MAC: Ondasetron 4mg, 8mg ODT tab.
DIN change: pms-Simvastatin 5mg,
10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 80mg tab.
The Nova Scotia Department of Health
has issued a
news release announcing the investment
of an additional $12 million in the Seniors'
Pharmacare program in 2006-07.
• Nova Scotia Pharmacare has announced
the implementation of a new
Nova Scotia Diabetes Assistance Program.
This provincial drug plan will assist in
the coverage of the cost of diabetes medications
and supplies for Nova Scotians under the
age of 65, with a diagnosis of diabetes
and no drug coverage. The new program starts
in January 2006.
•
The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program
has released a new Pharmacists’
Bulletin #05-10, dated October 2005.
•
The Nova Scotia Department of Health has
issued a
news release informing Nova Scotia seniors
who receive the guaranteed income supplement
and have paid a Pharmacare premium that
they will be fully reimbursed by the province.
• The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare
Program has released a new
Pharmacists’ Bulletin #05-09, dated
September 2005.
•
The Nova Scotia Seniors’ Pharmacare Program
has released two new Pharmacists’ Bulletin,
#05-07 and
#05-08, dated July 2005.
The Nova Scotia Department of Health
has issued a
news release announcing that
the Nova Scotia government is investing
an additional $12 million in the Seniors
Pharmacare program in 2004-05.
• The PEI Ministry of Health has announced
details of the new
Palliative Home Care Drug Program which
will begin in the fall of 2008. The new
program is an extension if the existing
Integrated Palliative Care Program and will
provide coverage of end-of-life medication
for patients who prefer to receive
palliative treatment at home.
• The PEI Department of Social Services
and Seniors has released a PEI Drug Programs
Formulary Update,
Issue 08-01, effective March 3, 2008.
• The
Ministry of Social Services and Seniors
has
announced the expansion of the Family Health Benefit
program, effective November 1, 2007. The expansion includes
providing assistance to more families with their prescription
drug costs.
• The
PEI Department of Social Services and Seniors
has released a PEI Drug Programs Formulary
Update,
Issue 07-03, effective July 10, 2007.
Open
Benefits: Flomax 0.4mg SR cap, all
interchangeable tamsulosin 0.4mg SR
caps. Exception Drug Status:
Zyprexa Zydis OD tabs. As of July 23,
2007, a Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC)
will apply for all clozapine products.
As of July 1, 2007, the coverage for
Xeloda has been extended to twelve months.
• The Department of Social Services
and Seniors has announced its
plan to add seven new drugs to the Prince
Edward Island Drug Programs Formulary at
a cost of $669,000. This amount represents
additional funding for the coverage of five
diabetes drugs and two cancer drugs.
• The Newfoundland and Labrador
Prescription Drug Program has released
Bulletin # 13, dated April 16, 2008. The
bulletin includes updates on the benefit
status of the following products, effective
April 15, 2008:
New Open
Benefits for All Plans, Special
Authorization for Cystics: Apo-Amoxi
Clav 400mg / .
Apo-Amoxi Clav 400mg/5ml pf for susp, Gen-Lisinopril
HCTZ 10mg/12.5mg, 20mg/12.5mg, 20mg/25mg
tabs, Apo-Lisinopril/HCTZ 10mg/12.5mg,
20mg/12.5mg, 20mg/25mg tabs, Novo-Lisinopril/HCTZ
(Type Z) 10mg/12.5mg, 20mg/12.5mg, 20mg/25mg
tabs, Novo-Lisinopril/HCTZ (Type P)
10mg/12.5mg, 20mg/12.5mg tabs, Apo-Ciproflox
0.3% opth sol, Apo-Clarithromycin 250mg, 500
mg tabs, Gen-Clarithromycin 250mg, 500mg
tabs, ratio-Clarithromycin 250mg, 500mg
tabs, pms-Clarithromycin 250mg, 500mg tabs,
Taro-Mupirocin 2% oint, Novo-Enalapril/HCTZ
5mg/12.5mg, 10mg/25mg tabs, Aviane 21 tabs, Aviane 28 tabs, Apo-Cilazapril/HCTZ , Novo-Atenolthalidone
50mg/25mg, 100mg/25mg tabs, Co Terbinafine
250mg tabs, Co Norfloxacin 400mg tabs, Co Zopiclone 5mg, 7.5mg tabs, Co Metformin
500mg, 850 mg tabs, Sandoz Brimonidine 0.2%
opth sol, Novo-Acyclovir 200mg, 400mg, 800mg
tabs, Gen-Warfarin 1mg, 2mg, 2.5mg, 3mg,
4mg, 5mg, 10mg tabs, Taro-Carbamazepine
100mg, 200mg chewtabs, Taro-Mometasone 0.1%
oint, Apo-Digoxin 0.0625mg, 0.125mg, 0.25mg
tabs, Co Paroxetine 20mg, 30mg tabs, Sandoz-diltiazem T 120mg, 180mg, 240mg,
300mg, 360mg caps, Ramipril 1.25mg, 2.5mg,
5mg, 10mg caps, Apo-Medroxy 10mg tabs.
New Special Authorization for All Plans and Cystics: Apo-Salvent Ipravent Sterules
2.5mg/0.5mg/2.5ml inh sol, Gen-Combo Sterinebs 2.5mg/0.5mg/2.5ml inh sol, Sandoz
Leflunomide 10mg, 20mg tabs, pms-Leflunomide
10mg, 20mg tabs, Co Gabapentin 100mg, 300mg,
400mg caps, Apo Gabapentin 100mg, 300mg,
400mg caps, Gen-Lamotrigine 25mg, 100mg,
150mg tabs, Sandoz Sumatriptan 50mg, 100mg
tabs, Apo-Sumatriptan 50mg, 100mg tabs, Co Sumatriptan 25mg. 50mg, 100mg tabs, pms-Sumatriptan 50mg, 100mg tabs, ratio-Sumatriptan
50mg, 100mg tabs, Novo-Sumatriptan 100mg
tabs. Not Covered for All Plans and Cystics: Co Paroxetine 10mg tabs.
• The Newfoundland and Labrador
Prescription Drug Program has released the
Spring 2008 Behind the Scenes Newsletter.
The Newsletter restates that effective
January 1, 2008, wet nebulized medications
are covered only under Special
Authorization. Please refer to the
newsletter, which can be accessed from the
link provided above, for coverage criteria
and the list of drug plans medications are
considered under.
NLPDP Benefit
Listing: New Open Benefits for Foundation,
65Plus, Access and Assurance Plans:
Somatuline Autogel 60mg, 90mg, 120mg,
Advicor 1000mg/40mg, Sandoz Fenofibrate S
100mg, 160mg tabs, Apo-Feno-Super 100mg,
160mg tabs, Novo-Fenofibrate-S 100mg, 160mg
tabs, Lipidil Supra 100mg, 160mg tabs.
Special Authorization for Foundation: Prevacid Fas Tabs 15mg, Aranesp 130mcg,
Biphentin 80mg, Diovan 320mg, Humira
40mg/0.8mL, Ciprodex otic sol. Not a
Benefit: Elaprase, Prexige 100mg, Zytram XL
150mg, 200mg, 300mg, 400mg, Sebivo 600mg,
Sativex for neuropathic pain in MS, Humalog
Mix 25, Lipidil EZ 48mg, 145mg, Aricept
Rapid-Disintegrating Tablets 5mg, 10mg,
Humalog Mix 50, Tobi 300mg/5mL.
• The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program has
released the Fall 2007 Behind the Scenes Newsletter. Effective January 1,
2008, wet nebulization solutions will be moved from Open Benefit
status to Special Authorization status under the NLPDP. Please refer to the newsletter, which can be accessed from the
link provided above, for coverage criteria and the list of drug
plans medications are considered under.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription
Drug Program has issued the latest version
of the
NLPDP Benefit Listing, effective April
1, 2005.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of
Health has updated the list of drugs under
Reasonable Based Pricing. These are
drugs that are currently approved under
the Dispensing of Substitute Brand-Name
Drugs Regulations.
• The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription
Drug Program has
updated the list of drugs under Reasonable
Based Pricing. These are drugs that
are currently approved under the Dispensing
of Substitute Brand-Name Drugs Regulations.
On January 26, 2010, the Chairman of the Board approved a VCU from Bayer Inc. in relation to the medicine Xarelto (rivaroxaban), which is indicated for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in patients who have undergone elective hip or total knee replacement surgery. According to the VCU, Xarelto’s price exceeded the PMPRB’s international price guideline at introduction and in 2009. Bayer has undertaken to offset cumulative excess revenues accrued from September 18, 2008 to June 30, 2009 by making a payment to the Crown in the amount of $49,978.33. Bayer also undertakes to make further payment to Her Majesty for any additional excess revenues received after June 30, 2009.
In a November 12 2009 decision, Justice Hughes of the Federal Court of Canada ruIed that the PMPRB’s finding of excessive pricing in the Teva Neuroscience / Copaxone matter was “unreasonable” and the calculation of excess revenues “unintelligible”. The Judge concluded that the Board, in reaching its decision, had relied solely on the CPI guideline to the exclusion of the other excessive price factors listed in section 85 of the Patent Act (e.g., prices of other drugs in the therapeutic class, international prices.). The matter has been referred back to the Board for a new hearing (by a different hearing panel if possible). The Attorney General of Canada has 30 days to appeal the decision.
The implications of the decision may be far reaching.The PMPRB’s compliance and enforcement policies are built on price tests that reflect the excessive price factors in s. 85 but are premised on a presumption of excessive pricing if the price of a patented medicine contravenes just one of the price tests. The Federal Court decision requires the Board to consider and give some weight to all of the factors. Moreover, the tenor of the decision would suggest that this consideration should occur well in advance of the formal hearing process. For example, Board Staff could be required to give some weight to all the s. 85 factors when conducting an investigation into the price of a patented medicine that failed any one particular price test. How this would be accomplished remains to be seen. However, with the 2010 implementation of the revised guidelines, this decision offers patentees yet more uncertainty to uncertain times.
For more information, or a copy of the Federal Court decision, please contact Neil Palmer or Janice D’Angelo.
● October 2009 NEWSletter Released
The October 2009 edition of the quarterly PMPRB NEWSletter has been released. This edition provides updates on some ongoing PMPRB activities, including:
The new Excessive Price Guidelines which will come into force on January 1, 2010. The Board Staff will be monitoring and evaluating the application and impact of the changes to the Guidelines on an ongoing basis once in effect. On September 17, 2009, the Board met and discussed the monitoring and the evaluation of the Board’s new Excessive Price Guidelines. Dr. Benoit states in the October 2009 NEWSletter that ‘’the revised Guidelines will provide greater transparency and predictability in the price review process’’. Outreach sessions were held in late October, in Montreal and Toronto, on the upcoming application of the Guidelines.
The Federal Court of Canada heard the Application for Judicial Review on the Board’s decision in the matter of Teva Neuroscience and the medicine Copaxone. The PMPRB issued a Board Order and Reasons on May 12, 2008 in relation to this matter. This was in accordance with the Decision of the Board issued on February 25, 2008, finding that the medicine was sold at an excessive price in 2004 and 2005. The Federal Court decision is pending.
Other NEWSletter topics:
Completed and Ongoing Hearings
New Drugs Introduced since July 2009 NEWSletter
Pradax – 2008 New Medicine Review (Category 3)
Board Meeting Activities
Upcoming Events
Voluntary Compliance Undertakings (''VCUs'')
On October 21, 2009, the Board approved a VCU from Amgen in relation to the medicine Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), which is indicated to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia, in patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving myelosuppressive anti-neoplastic drugs. For the purpose of resolving the matter relating to the Notice of Hearing issued in March 2009, Board Staff and Amgen agree that Neulasta is properly classified as a Category 3 new medicine and that the application of a domestic therapeutic class comparison pricing test with Amgen’s Neupogen (filgratim) as the comparator is appropriate. Amgen undertakes to make a payment to the Crown in the amount of $6,730,120.32 to offset any revenues above the maximum prices set out in the VCU.
On October 16, 2009, the Board accepted a VCU from Schering-Plough Canada Inc. regarding the price of Andriol (testosterone undecanoate), a medicine indicated for the replacement therapy in males for conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone. Schering-Plough will provide a discount of 21.25% against the 2009 MNE price to all customers through to end-December 2010 and will offset excess revenues deemed to have accrued over the period November 1 through December 31, 2004 by making a payment to Her Majesty in the amount of $348,605.86.
On October 5, 2009, the Board approved a VCU from Baxter Corporation in relation to the medicine Brevibloc (esmolol hydrochloride), a product indicated for the perioperative management of tachycardia and hypertension. In addition to a price reduction put in place by Baxter in June 2009, the company will offset cumulative excess revenues by making payments totaling $212,440.76 to customers that previously purchased Brevibloc.
● The 2008 PMPRB Annual Report was tabled before Parliament on July 22, 2009 and subsequently published by the PMPRB. The report provides detailed information on sales and price trends of medicines in Canada, including:
The R&D-to-sales ratio for all patentees decreased in 2008 to 8.1% from 8.3% recorded in 2007. The R&D-to-sales ratio for Rx&D member companies remained at 8.9%.
Canadian prices of patented medicines during 2008 were 0.1% above 2007 levels. The CPI rose by 2.3% during the same period.
Prices in only three [Germany, UK, US] of the seven PMPRB reference countries recorded overall price increases in 2008 over 2007. Canadian prices were approximately 4% above international median prices, on average, but lower than their highest international price. The full document can be accessed on PMPRB's website.
● PMPRB Update - January 2009 NEWSletter
Released
The January 2009 edition of the quarterly
PMPRB NEWSletter has been released. This edition provides
updates on some ongoing PMPRB activities, including:
● Update on the Proposed Changes
to the Excessive Price Guidelines.
The Board is finalizing its review of the
feedback received in response to the August 20, 2008 package,
which included extensive changes to PMPRB's Excessive Price
Guidelines. The PMPRB is still considering some areas where
stakeholders' comments were more significant. The PMPRB plans to
release a new version of the draft revised Guidelines in March
2009, which will be the subject of a final Notice and Comment
period, followed by release of the final text of the Guidelines
around the end of May. Implementation of the new Guidelines is
anticipated for July 1, 2009.
On November 25, 2008, the PMPRB issued a
Communiqué temporarily suspending patentees' mandatory
reporting of benefits for the January 1 to June 30, 2009
reporting period. The judicial reviews on this matter, resulting
from applications filed by Pfizer Canada and Rx&D et al., are
scheduled for June 16-17. The PMPRB, anticipating that a Federal
Court decision is not likely prior to July 1, 2009, has
suspended mandatory reporting of benefits until January 1, 2010.
● 2008 CPI
adjustment factors: The PMPRB has published the actual CPI
adjustment factors that will be used in the calculation of 2008
MNEs. While the PMPRB had used a 2.0% inflation forecast in its
determination of forecast CPI adjustment factors for 2008, the
actual change in CPI for 2008 over 2007 was 2.4%. As a result,
the actual CPI adjustment factors for 2008 are higher than
forecast (e.g. 3-yr adjustment of 1.066 vs 1.057, respectively)
as is the cap on one year increases in 2008 (3.6% vs 3.0%,
respectively). These will result in higher than expected MNEs
for 2008.
● REMINDER: The
deadline for filing PMPRB Form 3 - Revenues and Research and
Development Expenditures is March 2, 2009.
● Other NEWSletter
topics:
- Completed and Ongoing Hearings
- New Drugs Introduced since October 2008 NEWSletter
- Revlimid - 2008 New Medicine Review (Category 2)
- Board Meeting Activities
- Upcoming Events
The Board has postponed the hearing in
the matter of Eli Lilly Canada and its medicine
Strattera to February 11, 2009. The hearing was
originally scheduled from January 27 to 29, 2009.
Board Communiqué on Mandatory Reporting
The PMPRB issued a
Communiqué on November 25, 2008 temporarily
suspending patentees' mandatory reporting of benefits
for the January 1 to June 30, 2009 period as a result of
Rx&D et al. and Pfizer Canada's applications for
Judicial Review stemming from the Board's August 18,
2008
Communiqué.
The Board is continuing its assessments
of the issues relating to its Draft Revised Excessive
Price Guidelines and will be communicating next steps
through its website and NEWSletters.
The October edition of the quarterly
PMPRB NEWSletter has been released. This edition provides
updates on several PMPRB activities, including:
●
Update on the Proposed Changes to the Excessive Price
Guidelines
On August 20, 2008, the Board released a
PMPRB Notice and Comment package which included extensive
changes to PMPRB’s Excessive Price Guidelines. Interested
parties were asked to provide comments on the proposed
changes. The comments received since then have been posted
on the
PMPRB's website. The Board met on October 22 to review
stakeholders’ comments and is continuing its assessment of
the issues. Updates on its progress will be communicated on
the PMPRB’s website and through its NEWSletters. According
to the original August 18, 2008 PMPRB Communiqué, the
amended Compendium of Policies, Guidelines and Procedures as
well as transition and implementation plans are to be
released on November 17, 2008.
●
Additional NEWSletter topics:
- Completed and Ongoing Hearings
- 2009 HDAP Meeting Schedule
- Lucentis - 2007 New Medicine Review (Category 2)
- New Drugs Introduced since July 2008 NEWSletter
- Upcoming Events
PMPRB Updates
Apo-Salvent Hearing
The PMPRB has postponed the pre-hearing
conference in the matter of Apotex and its medicine Apo-Salvent,
originally scheduled on September 29, 2008. Apo-Salvent is a new
DIN of an existing dosage form of an existing bronchodilator (salbutamol
sulfate). The drug is indicated for the relief of chest
tightness and wheezing caused by spasms or narrowing in the
small air passages of the lungs. The Board will be announcing a
new date shortly. Please consult the PMPRB's
website for more information.
Proposed Changes to the Excessive Price
Guidelines
REMINDER: Interested parties have until Monday,
October 6, 2008, to submit their comments on the PMPRB’s Notice
and Comment August 20, 2008 package, which includes extensive
changes to the PMPRB’s Excessive Price Guidelines. Responses to
the proposed changes should be sent to the Secretary of the
Board by e-mail at
sdupont@pmprb-cepmb.gc.ca , or by mail at:
Sylvie Dupont
Secretary of the Board
Patented Medicine Prices Review Board
Box L40
Standard Life Centre
333 Laurier Avenue West
Suite 1400
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 1C1
More information on the topic and comments
received to date are provided on the Board's
website.
HDAP Meeting Schedule
The PMPRB has released the Human Drug Advisory Panel (HDAP)
meeting schedule for 2009:
- February 19, 2009
- May 15, 2009
- September 17, 2009
- November 19, 2009.
Details on submission deadlines are provided on the Board's
website.
Notice of Hearing
The PMPRB issued a Notice of
Hearing on July 18, 2008 in the matter of
ratiopharm Inc. and the price of its medicine
ratio-Salbutamol HFA. The hearing is scheduled
to begin January 12, 2009 with a pre-hearing
conference to be held on October 27, 2008.
According to the PMPRB staff’s allegations, the
price of ratio-Salbutamol as of 2004 appeared to
exceed the PMPRB’s Excessive Price Guidelines as
they relate to the CPI adjustment methodology.
Anyone wishing to intervene in the proceedings
must apply to the PMPRB by September 4, 2008.
Documents relating to the hearing notice can be
viewed on the
PMPRB’s website.
Board Decision on Shire
BioChem Motion – Adderall XR
On July 16, 2008 the Adderall XR
Hearing Panel issued a
decision in relation to a motion by Shire
BioChem Inc. regarding the Dexedrine 5 mg price
to be used in the determination of Adderall XR’s
maximum non-excessive (MNE) price in the context
of the Hearing Panel’s April 10, 2008 decision.
According to this latest decision, the Panel has
concluded that there is no reason why the
highest domestic price of Dexedrine 5 mg tablets
should not be used in the Adderall XR MNE
calculation.
In addition, the Panel took
issue with the PMPRB staff’s
characterization of off-patent medicines
being excessively priced, leading to the
exclusion of these medicines from the price
reviews of patented medicines. According to
the decision:
6. The Panel accepts that it is appropriate
for Board Staff, in the course of its
investigations, to exclude, from a Domestic
Therapeutic Class Comparison (“DTCC”), those
patented medicines sold in Canada that would
be presumed by the Guidelines to be
excessively priced. In a regime where the
Board is setting the MNE price of a medicine
by reference to the prices of comparable
medicines, it would not be logical to
include, among those comparators, patented
medicines that are themselves excessively
priced.
7. However, the Panel
believes that, in the Patent Act (the “Act”)
and the Excessive Price Guidelines, the
concept of an excessive price is based on
the premise that a medicine to which a
patent pertains could be priced at excessive
levels, given the potential market power
associated with a patent. While the Board
does not inquire into whether a pertaining
patent actually confers market power on the
patentee, this does not change the premise
on which the concept is based.
8. Needless to say, that
premise does not apply to a medicine to
which no patent pertains. The Panel does not
purport to preclude the possibility that an
unpatented medicine could be excluded from a
DTCC based on its price. However, for such a
finding to be made, there would have to be
evidence of an absence of competition or
other market conditions on which the Board
could conclude that the medicine should be
thus excluded. In this case, the evidence is
to the contrary.
Notice of Hearing
The Board issued a Notice of
Hearing in the matter of Apotex Inc. and its
medicine Apo-Salvent CFC Free on July 8, 2008.
Apo-Salvent is a new DIN of an existing dosage
form of an existing bronchodilator (salbutamol
sulfate) which relieves the chest tightness and
wheezing caused by spasms or narrowing in the
small air passages of the lungs. The purpose of
the Hearing is to determine whether, under
sections 83 and 85 of the Patent Act, Apotex
Inc. is selling or has sold the medicine known
as Apo-Salvent, in any market in Canada at a
price that, in the Board’s opinion, is or was
excessive and if so, what order, if any, should
be made. The pre-hearing conference will be held
on September 29, 2008. Anyone wishing to
intervene in this proceeding is required to
apply to the Board for leave to intervene on or
before August 22, 2008 and should contact the
Secretary of the Board, Sylvie Dupont, for
further information on the procedure. The
Hearing is to start on December 8, 2008.
The Notice of Hearing in this
matter and the Statement of Allegations of the
Board Staff are available on the
PMPRB's
website.
The 2007 PMPRB Annual Report was tabled
before Parliament on June 18, 2008 and
subsequently published by the PMPRB. The report
provides detailed information on sales and price
trends of medicines in Canada and states that:
The R&D-to-sales ratio for all patentees
increased in 2007 to 8.3% from the 8.1% recorded
in 2006. The R&D-to-sales ratio for Rx&D member
companies increased to 8.9% compared to 8.5% in
the previous year.
Canadian prices of patented medicines were
0.1% lower in 2007 compared with 2006 levels. In
contrast, the CPI rose by 2.1% during the same
period.
Prices in 5 of 7 countries referenced by the
PMPRB recorded overall price increases in 2007
over 2006. Canadian prices were approximately 2%
above international median prices, on average,
but lower than their highest international
price.
The
Final Report of the PMPRB’s Making and Marketing Working
Group entitled “The Definition of Making and Marketing Costs for
Purposes of Section 85(2) of the Patent Act” has been released.
The objective of the report was to assist the PMPRB in
developing criteria which will enable it to define the making
and marketing costs of patented medicines for purposes of
Section 85(2) of the Patent Act.
Board Issues Order and Reasons in the
Matter of Teva Neuroscience G.P. - S.E.N.C. and
Copaxone
The PMPRB issued a
Board Order on May 12, 2008 in the matter of
Teva Neuroscience G.P. - S.E.N.C. and its
medicine Copaxone. In accordance with the
Decision of the Board issued on February 25,
2008, finding that the medicine was sold at an
excessive price in 2004 and 2005, and having
fully considered the representations of the
parties concerning the appropriate amount of the
excess revenues covered by the Decision, the
Board Order directs Teva Neuroscience to make a
payment to the Crown in the amount of
$2,417,223.29 by June 12, 2008.
The Board also issued its
Reasons supporting the Order, which reflects
the conclusion of the Hearing Panel that the MNE
price of Copaxone, as determined by the findings
in the Decision, was $37.8960 for 2004, $39.7920
for 2005, and $41.6880 for 2006 and 2007. The
offsetting amount represents the cumulative
excess revenues received by Teva Neuroscience as
a result of sales of Copaxone in Canada during
2004 and 2005. The Board disagreed with Teva’s
submission that the sales of Copaxone in 2006
and 2007 at prices below the MNE prices for
those years should be used to offset excess
revenues accumulated during 2004 and 2005.
According to the Hearing Panel, the Guidelines
do not permit a patentee to charge excessive
revenues in one or several years and then offset
those revenues of its own accord by reducing (or
not increasing) the price of the medicine in
subsequent years. In its opinion, this approach
would seriously impair, if not defeat, the
Board´s mandate.
Both documents can be obtained from the
PMPRB's website.
PMPRB Update - April 2008 NEWSletter Released
The April edition of the
quarterly PMPRB NEWSletter has been released. This edition
provides updates on several PMPRB activities, including:
Discussion Paper - Options for Possible
Changes
The Board held a meeting on March 6-7, 2008 with stakeholders
regarding its Discussion Paper entitled Options for Possible
Changes to the Patented Medicines Regulations, 1994 and the
Excessive Price Guidelines. The PMPRB plans to have the
Guidelines Review exercise completed by fall 2008. To this end,
the Board expects to issue a Stakeholder Communiqué, later this
spring, on its decisions with regard to some outstanding issues.
The PMPRB also plans to undertake further consultations with
stakeholders, during the summer, regarding a comprehensive
package of proposed changes to the Guidelines. If the Board
decides to pursue regulatory changes, further information will
be included in the spring Communiqué.
The Board has issued preliminary responses to the stakeholder
feedback received on the following issues:
Any Market Price Review: The Board believes the
review circumstances proposed in the Discussion Paper are
reasonable and will not create an undue burden on patentees
or on Board Staff. Board will be considering specific
methodology for the conduct of such reviews.
Re-Setting the MNE Price: The Board has deferred
its final decision pending receipt of the report on
activities to be included and excluded from the definition
of making and marketing. Triggers for re-setting the MNE
price based on new scientific evidence are to be developed
by Board Staff in consultation with scientific experts, as
needed. The Board has decided to retain the current
requirement of 5 countries and 3 years when establishing an
MNE price based on the median international price.
Regulatory Changes to Address FCC Dovobet Decision:
Feedback from stakeholders varied widely and the Board will
be giving further consideration to proposed amendments over
the next few weeks.
Guidelines Changes Relating to CPI: The Board
believes that both options put forward in the Discussion
Paper have me
