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Simeprevir received two boosts on Nov. 12th: it is now listed on the Sasketchewan formulary (will be reimbursed by their public health insurance Pharmacare) and was also recommended highly by a Canadian Drug Review (CDR, CADTH, Health Canada) “Therapeutic Review” of hepatitis C DAA’s (new Direct Acting Antiviral therapies) for HCV genotype 1. Details below:
SASKATCHEWAN FORMULARY DETAILS:
simeprevir, capsule, 150mg (Galexos-JAN)
For the treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 infection in adult patients with compensated liver disease, in combination with peginterferon alpha/ribavirin (pegINF/RBV) when all of the following criteria are met:
§ detectable levels of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in the last six months
§ a fibrosis stage of F2, F3, or F4
§ one course of treatment only (12 weeks duration).
Note: This product should be used in consultation with a specialist in this area.
Exclusion Criteria:
Ø Patients with the NS3 Q80K polymorphism.
Ø Patients who have received a prior treatment with boceprevir or telaprevir in combination with pegINF/RBV and did NOT receive an adequate response.
Ø Simeprevir in combination with sofosbuvir.
CDR “HCV GT1 THERAPEUTIC REVIEW OF DAA’s” RECOMMENDATION DETAILS:
Galexos (simeprevir) is the recommended protease inhibitor for treating hepatitis C patients because of its cost-effectiveness compared with other options. http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/