Government of Quebec provides adults living with diabetes mellitus access to ultra-long-acting insulin, TRESIBA®

Incidence of diabetes in Quebec expected to grow to 832,000 by 2020¹

Access to ultra-long-acting insulin provides adults living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in Quebec an important option to improve glycemic control

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. announces that Quebec will provide public funding of TRESIBA^® (insulin degludec injection), an ultra-long-acting basal insulin, for adults living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Listed under the List of Medications reimbursed under the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), TRESIBA^® will be reimbursed for the treatment of diabetes where a prior trial with an intermediate-acting insulin has not allowed for adequate control of the glycemic profile without causing an episode of serious hypoglycemia or frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, effective September 27, 2018.^2,3

"Effective management of diabetes can be achieved with the help of innovative new treatments that improve glycemic control," says Dr. Jan Hux, President of Diabetes Canada. "We are pleased with the Quebec government's decision to support adults living with this chronic disease, alleviating financial pressure and offering more treatment options."

This announcement comes swiftly following the regulatory approval of TRESIBA^® by Health Canada in August 2017, as well as its listing to the Ontario Drug Benefit program on September 27, 2018 and the Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary on October 18, 2018.^4,5 TRESIBA^® was also the first insulin added to the Register of Innovative Drugs for human use, recognizing the treatment's potential to help patients improve their glycemic control.

"We commend the Government of Quebec for its continued commitment to improving access to innovative diabetes treatments for patients in the province," says Kim Lacombe, Eastern Canada Regional Director, JDRF Canada. "JDRF supports access and choice regarding treatments and technologies that help Canadians better manage their Type 1 diabetes."

About TRESIBA^®
TRESIBA^® (insulin degludec injection) is a once-daily, ultra-long-acting basal insulin approved in Canada on August 25, 2017 for the once-daily treatment of adults with diabetes mellitus to improve glycemic control.² On July 17, 2018, TRESIBA^® was also approved in Canada for pediatric patients (>2 years of age) with Type 1 diabetes mellitus.² TRESIBA^® provides a duration of action beyond 42 hours with a flat and stable glucose-lowering effect.^2,6 It has been shown to provide a lower risk of overall, nocturnal and severe hypoglycemia, and low variability in blood sugar levels versus insulin glargine U100.^2,7 TRESIBA^® received its first regulatory approval in September 2012 and has since been approved in more than 80 countries globally. It is now commercially available in more than 61 countries.

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of all insulin preparations, including TRESIBA^®. The most common side effects found with TRESIBA^® are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, edema and weight gain.²

About Novo Nordisk 
Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to help people defeat obesity, hemophilia, growth disorders and other serious chronic diseases. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs approximately 41,700 people in 77 countries and markets its products in more than 165 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.ca, Twitter, YouTube.

References

1. Diabetes Quebec. At the Tipping Point: Diabetes in Québec. 2011. https://www.diabetes.ca/CDA/media/documents/publications-and-newsletters/advocacy-reports/canada-at-the-tipping-point-quebec-english.pdf. Accessed September 26, 2018.
2. Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. TRESIBA^® Product Monograph. July 17, 2018. http://www.novonordisk.ca/content/dam/Canada/AFFILIATE/www-novonordisk-ca/OurProducts/PDF/tresiba-product-monograph.pdf. Accessed July 24, 2018.
3. The Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec. List of medications. September 27, 2018. http://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/SiteCollectionDocuments/liste_med/liste_med_2018_09_27_en.pdf. Accessed September 25, 2018.
4. Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary/Comparative Drug Index. Edition 43. September 20, 2018. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/drugs/formulary43/summary_edition43_20180920.pdf. Accessed September 20, 2018.
5. Bulletin #101. Manitoba Drug Benefits and Interchangeability Formulary Amendments. September 20, 2018. http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mdbif/docs/bulletins/bulletin101.pdf. Accessed September 20, 2018.
6. Haahr H, Heise T. A review of the pharmacological properties of insulin degludec and their clinical relevance. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2014; 53:787-800.
7. Marso SP, McGuire DK, Zinman B, et al. Efficacy and safety of degludec versus glargine in type 2 diabetes. N Eng J Med. 2017. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1615692.

SOURCE Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.

Media: Kate Hanna, 905-629-6612, [email protected]