Sure News™

OxyContin Replacement

Information from Claimsecure and The Fifth Estate

Employee Benefits

Much is being talked about of late on the topic of OxyContin. The article below, does not, in any way, reflect DiBrina Sure Groups opinions.  It is rather information we’ve gathered that may be useful to you as a group benefit client.

Effective March 1, 2012, OxyContin® will be removed from the Canadian market and replaced with OxyNEO®.

We expect minimal impact to your current drug plan. 

Most provincial plans have delisted OxyContin and cover OxyNeo on a case by case basis.  For plan sponsors who have selected a provincial formulary plan, most plan members will have claims for OxyContin and OxyNEO declined.  Provincial plan coverage varies and is summarized below:

Provincial formulary coverage for OxyNEO for groups opting for a provincial plan

Ontario:

ODB patients who claimed for OxyContin in the last six months, will receive automatic coverage for OxyContin until April 2nd 2012.  After April 2nd, if the physician prescribes OxyNEO, the patient will continue to receive automatic coverage for OxyNEO until Feb 28, 2013. If coverage for OxyNEO is needed beyond Feb 28, 2013, the physician must apply for an Exceptional Access Program (EAP) approval.

OxyNEO® is available as 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 60mg and 80mg tablets and is priced similar to OxyContin®. The daily cost of OxyNEO® ranges from $1.76 - $8.43.

The Fifth Estate aired their investigation of what they are calling “one of the most successful marketing campaigns in pharmaceutical history”. You can view this episode on the link below.

http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2011-2012/timebomb/

Should you have any questions or concerns that relate to OxyContin or OxyNEO® and your group benefit plan, please do not hesitate to contact your Team DiBrina representative.

[ Back ]