CoaguChek® XS PT Strip on RAMQ List of Medications for PT/INR Patient Self-Testing

Quebec takes the lead in advancing the care of anticoagulated patients

MONTREAL, Feb. 4, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Roche Diagnostics Canada is pleased to announce the indication extension of its CoaguChek® XS PT Test Strip on the List of Medications of the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) to all patients capable of performing PT/INR Patient Self-Testing (PST) or Patient Self-Management (PSM) using the CoaguChek® XS coagulometer.

The Quebec decision enables anticoagulated patients of any age taking long term vitamin K antagonist (VKA) medication, including children and seniors, who require regular coagulation monitoring for indications such as Atrial Fibrillation and some cases of Pulmonary Embolism to have the cost of the CoaguChek® test strips covered under the Quebec drug plan with a physician's prescription and completion of the RAMQ Form 8033 "Demande d'autorisation de paiement" for CoaguChek. According to Ian Parfrement, President and General Manager of Roche Diagnostics Canada, "This decision is a first in Canada, and we believe that empowering people to do their own INR testing is a big step forward in advancing the care of anticoagulated patients."

Patient Self-Testing of PT/INR Results
The CoaguChek® XS system enables a patient to perform a PT/INR test in 1 minute from a finger stick sample of blood at home or when traveling, a welcome alternative to a laboratory blood test. Studies show that patients performing PST or PSM of their PT/INR results tend to spend more time in their target therapeutic range (TTR) reducing their risk for strokes, blood clots and serious bleeding. Patients who perform PST or PSM also spend less time waiting at appointments and feel more satisfied with their treatment.

The CoaguChek® XS system
The CoaguChek® XS system is a third generation point-of-care anticoagulation monitoring device by Roche Diagnostics. Health Canada approved for patient use since 2006, CoaguChek® is the global market leader in Point-of-Care INR monitoring devices used by healthcare professionals and patients. For more information regarding Patient Self-Testing using the CoaguChek® XS system, ask your physician, pharmacist, or anticoagulation clinic, and visit the CoaguChek® Canada website at: www.coaguchek.ca.

About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche's personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostics that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. Founded in 1896, Roche has been making important contributions to global health for more than a century. Twenty-four medicines developed by Roche are included in the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and chemotherapy. In 2013 the Roche Group employed over 85,000 people worldwide, invested 8.7 billion Swiss francs in R&D and posted sales of 46.8 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. Founded in 1931, Roche Canada employs approximately 900 people across the country, with its pharmaceuticals head office located in Mississauga, Ontario and its diagnostics division based in Laval, Quebec. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities, investing in charitable organizations and partnering with healthcare institutions across the country. For more information, visit www.rochecanada.com.

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SOURCE: Roche Diagnostics

For further information:

Mélanie Lussier
Communications
Roche Diagnostics Canada
Tel. : [phone]
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