New diabetes drugs added to Saskatchewan's drug formulary

From the Regina Leader Post:
The Canadian Diabetes Association is applauding the Ministry of Health for adding a new long-acting insulin analog to its drug formulary.

Since January, the Saskatchewan Drug Plan has added three insulin products to the formulary. Effective Jan. 1, insulin glargine (brand name Lantus) was added under the exception drug status (EDS) program. EDS can be approved for patients who meet certain medical criteria. Physicians or pharmacists can submit requests for EDS approval on behalf of their patients. Insulin detemir (brand name Levemir) was added as an EDS medication effective July 1. Insulin glulisine (brand name Apidra) was added as an EDS medication in April.

In addition, the EDS criteria were revised effective July 1 for the rapid acting insulin products currently listed as EDS medications: insulin aspart (brand name NovoRapid), insulin glulisine (brand name Apidra) and insulin lispro (brand name Humalog). ...more