GLATECT^TM (glatiramer acetate injection, 20 mg/1 mL) is now the only glatiramer-based treatment covered by five provincial drug plans for patients new to glatiramer acetate for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)

• GLATECT^TM is now covered for all patients new to glatiramer acetate by the provincial drug plans in Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick, based on specific criteria for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• GLATECT^TM is the first subsequent glatiramer-based treatment to the original glatiramer acetate (COPAXONE^®). GLATECT^TM becomes the first subsequent glatiramer-based treatment in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) available for reimbursement under Canadian public drug plans.

MONTREAL, Aug. 2, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Provincial drug plans in five provinces have added GLATECT^TM (glatiramer acetate injection, 20 mg/1 mL) to their drug formularies as the only glatiramer-based treatment covered for patients new to glatiramer acetate for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The most recent listings became effective on July 5^th in Quebec (Exceptional Medication Status), and on July 1^st in Alberta (Special Authorization Benefit) and Saskatchewan (Exception Drug Status). GLATECT^TM, the first subsequent glatiramer-based treatment to the original glatiramer acetate (COPAXONE^®) was launched last year by Pendopharm, a division of Pharmascience Inc.

"As leader of the MS Clinic at the Ottawa Hospital, I'm delighted that Canadian health authorities are recognizing the importance of making lower cost alternative therapies available to patients with MS," said Dr. Mark Freedman, Director of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Research Unit at the Ottawa Hospital. "The addition of GLATECT^TM to provincial drug plans will contribute important savings to the healthcare system and to patients," added Dr. Freedman.

GLATECT^TM is the first subsequent glatiramer-based treatment available for reimbursement for RRMS.¹ It provides a low-cost treatment option for Canadian patients living with MS, a chronic disease of the central nervous system that is characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration.² Canada has one of the highest rate of MS in the world, with an estimated   77,000 Canadian adults living with the disease.²

"Multiple sclerosis disease-modifying drugs have greatly contributed to the treatment options for patients suffering from this disease," says Jean-François Lemieux, VP and General Manager of Pendopharm, a division of Pharmascience Inc.

"GLATECT^TM, is a prime example of how Pendopharm, a Canadian company, contributes significantly to the sustainability of the health care system by making these therapies more accessible. We are highly optimistic to have more provinces add GLATECT^TM as a covered benefit under their drug plans in the coming months." Lemieux adds.

GLATECT^TM is reimbursed under specific criteria for the treatment of ambulatory patients with RRMS. Coverage criteria should be verified with each provincial health authority as it may vary.

GLATECT^TM is provided in pre-filled syringes with the SENSIGO^® autoinjector, a device designed to deliver daily subcutaneous doses of glatiramer to adult patients; facilitating self-injection ^{1, 3-4} GLATECT^TM also provides Ally Patient Support Program, which offers: injection support and training, reimbursement assistance, and financial assistance.

About Pharmascience

Founded in 1983, Pharmascience Inc. is the largest pharmaceutical employer in Quebec with over 1,500 employees proudly headquartered in Montreal. Pharmascience Inc. is a full-service privately owned pharmaceutical company with strong roots in Canada and a growing global reach with product distribution in over 60 countries. Ranked 51st among Canada's top 100 Research & Development (R&D) investors with over $49 million invested in 2016, Pharmascience Inc. is the 3rd largest manufacturer of over-the-counter generic drugs in the country.

Pharmascience Inc. is a leading manufacturer and marketer of prescription generic, over-the-counter, and behind-the-counter products as well as FDA approved Canadian-made injectables. The company commercializes nearly 300 product families in 20 different dosage forms for over 2,000 products. In Canada alone, more than 45 million prescriptions a year are filled with Pharmascience products.

In 2018, the prestigious Forbes magazine ranked Pharmascience Inc. among its list of top 300 employers. Pharmascience Inc. has strong long-standing philanthropic ties with its communities, both locally and internationally. For more than 20 years, Pharmascience has been working through Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) as a partner of choice to increase access to medicine. Pharmascience's total donations of essential medicine is close to $70 million

About Pendopharm

Pendopharm, a division of Pharmascience Inc., aims to be a new partner in the treatment of MS in Canada. Pendopharm is strategically committed to growth and is actively engaged in licensing, partnering, developing, and marketing specialty prescription medicines, as well as consumer brands. For more information, please visit www.pendopharm.com.

References: 1. Common Drug Review; Subsequent Entry Non-Biologic Complex Drug submission: glatiramer acetate (GLATECT^TM). Pendopharm, a division of Pharmascience Inc. August 2017. 2. MS Society of Canada: About MS. https://mssociety.ca/about-ms. Accessed: July 23, 2018.3. GLATECT^®Product Monograph. Pharmascience Inc. January 16, 2017. 4. Sensigo^® Autoinjector Instructions.