Market Access News

Health Canada Update   On February 24, 2017, Health Canada issued the Terms of Reference for the Scientific Advisory Panel on Opioid Use and Contraindications (SAP-OUC). According to Health Canada’s website, the SAP-OUC will “examine whether contraindications currently included in Canadian labelling of opioids are sufficient or should be modified, and whether additional contraindications should be added. While the Panel provides Health Canada with advice and recommendations, the decision-making responsibility…

BC Update   The British Columbia Pharmacare newsletter was published on February 27, 2017   See British Columbia's Newsletter   As noted in the newsletter, for the pricing period starting April 1, 2017, the maximum price that suppliers can charge for generic LCA drugs will continue as: 20% of the equivalent brand product’s list price for oral solids 35% of the equivalent brand product’s list price for drugs available in…

The pCPA has completed negotiations with 3 manufacturers of drugs used to treat Hepatitis C   The pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), in its first stand-alone statement, announced on February 21, 2017 that they have successfully negotiated agreements with Gilead, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb. There is one notable absence from this list - that of the 4th manufacturer of hepatitis C drugs, Abbvie who manufactures Holkira and Technivie.   These…

Alberta Update   The Alberta Drug Benefit List (DBL) / Alberta Human Services Drug Benefit Supplement has been updated and becomes effective March 1, 2017.   See Alberta's Drug Benefit List   See Alberta's Human Services Drug Benefit Supplement   To receive updates similar to this one please be sure to sign up for Market Access Signals, our free e-mail newsletter service.

Ontario Update   Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Formulary / Comparative Drug Index (Formulary) has been updated and becomes effective February 28, 2017.   See Ontario's Drug Benefit Formulary   New Single Source Drug Products   Daklinza (daclatasvir) 30mg, 60mg Tab (BMS) Epclusa (sofosbuvir / velpatasvir) 400mg/100mg Tab (GIL) Sunvepra (asunaprevir) 100mg Tab (BMS) Zepatier (elbasvir / grazoprevir) 50mg/100mg Tab (MEK)   Transition from Exceptional Access Program (EAP) to Limited Use…

Quebec’s revised List of Medications has been posted, with Formulary changes effective as of February 15, 2017. For more information and to access the full updated List of Medications, please see the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ’s) website: List of Medications Last Updated on 15 February 2017 The Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec administers the public health and prescription drug insurance plans. It also remunerates health professionals.…

The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board Provides an Update on its Activities   The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) released its first Newsletter of 2017.  This bulletin provides updates related to: Guidelines Modernization Upcoming Reports: NPDUIS Update New Policy:  Complaint process for patented generic-drug price reviews PMPRB Governance/Administration Status of Ongoing Hearings Regulatory Details: CPI Adjustment Factors for 2017 Please see summary below for further information: Guidelines Modernization Submissions…

pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA): Negotiation Status Update   The pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance Office (pCPAO) updated the status of negotiations on brand name drugs as of January 31, 2017. There are currently 38 negotiations underway with one new file (Keytruda (pembrolizumab)) added since the last update on December 31, 2016. There have been 133 joint negotiations completed with 2 files successfully negotiated since the last update of December 31, 2016: Blincyto…

The pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) Office released the monthly statistics for pCPA negotiations up to and including December 31, 2016.   To summarize, there were a total of 7 products with status changes: Three products added to the active list for a total of 43 active negotiations: Botox (multiple indications), Imbruvica (chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic leukemia), Rituxan SC. Two products concluded negotiations with an agreement: Grastofil, Metadol-D. Two products that…

Mani & O’Quinn Reimbursement Strategy Experts (MORSE) launched to help clients develop strategies to optimize reimbursement success.   Toronto, January 26, 2017 – Co-founders Arvind Mani and Sherry O’Quinn have established Mani & O’Quinn Reimbursement Strategy Experts (MORSE) Consulting Inc. This firm has been created with a vision to be a leader in strategic pharmaceutical reimbursement consulting with a reputation for honesty, integrity, and collaboration. With a presence in both…