INVOKANA®* Now Publicly Reimbursed in Nova Scotia for People with Type 2 Diabetes

TORONTO, Sept. 10, 2015 /CNW/ - Effective September 1, 2015, INVOKANA^® (canagliflozin), an oral, once-daily prescription treatment to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes,¹ will be included on the Nova Scotia public formulary. Nova Scotia joins Ontario and Quebec in providing public reimbursement for INVOKANA^®.

Nova Scotia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in Canada,² with an estimated 98,000 people in the province living with type 2 diabetes.³

"I'm pleased to hear that people with type 2 diabetes living in Nova Scotia now will have public access to INVOKANA^®, a treatment that has not only been shown to manage glycemic control, but also shown to achieve weight loss and reduced blood pressure, with a low risk of hypoglycemia," says Dr. Debbie Knight, Internal Medicine Specialist from Dartmouth, N.S.** "Studies have shown almost half of patients don't reach the level of glucose control recommended by their doctor,⁴ so the need for effective treatment options is important." 

INVOKANA^® is listed in Nova Scotia as an Exception Status Benefit for the treatment of type 2 diabetes for patients with inadequate glycemic control on metformin and a sulfonylurea, and for whom insulin is not an option. To learn more about the eligibility criteria for reimbursement of INVOKANA^® visit http://novascotia.ca/dhw/pharmacare/nova-scotians.asp.

About INVOKANA^®

INVOKANA^® was approved by Health Canada on May 23, 2014, making it the first sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor approved in Canada. The treatment is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INVOKANA^® works by increasing the amount of sugar removed from the body in the urine, thereby reducing the amount of sugar in the blood.⁵ Results from the Phase 3 clinical program showed INVOKANA^® was generally well tolerated. The most common adverse events with INVOKANA^® are genital mycotic (fungal) infections, urinary tract infections and increased urination. These specific adverse events were generally mild to moderate in intensity and infrequently led to discontinuation in Phase 3 studies.⁶ Due to its mechanism of action INVOKANA^® may cause volume depletion (dehydration). Uncommon adverse events related to reduced intravascular volume including orthostatic hypotension, postural dizziness (both defined as fainting, feeling dizzy or lightheaded due to a drop in blood pressure when you stand up) and hypotension (low blood pressure). This happens more often in older people (aged 75 and over), people with kidney problems and people taking water tablets (diuretics).⁷

About Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and/or the body does not properly use the insulin it makes. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy.⁸ If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety of complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease and nerve damage.⁹ The financial burden of diabetes is also significant. By 2020, it is estimated that the number of Canadians with diabetes will grow to over four million¹⁰ and diabetes will cost the Canadian healthcare system $16.9 billion per year.¹¹

About Janssen Inc.

Janssen Inc. is one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, which are dedicated to addressing and solving some of the most important unmet medical needs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and vaccines, and cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Driven by our commitment to patients, we bring innovative products, services and solutions to people throughout the world. Please visit www.janssen.ca for more information.

*All trademark rights used under license.

**Dr. Debbie Knight was not compensated for any media work. She has been a paid consultant to Janssen Inc.

References

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¹ INVOKANA^® Product Monograph. Page 3. November 2014.
² Statistics Canada. Diabetes in Canada: Facts and figures from a public health perspective. 2011. Available at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cd-mc/publications/diabetes-diabete/facts-figures-faits-chiffres-2011/chap1-eng.php#Pre0. Accessed August 27, 2015.
³ Canadian Diabetes Association. At the Tipping Point: Diabetes in Nova Scotia. Available at: https://www.diabetes.ca/CDA/media/documents/publications-and-newsletters/advocacy-reports/canada-at-the-tipping-point-nova-scotia-english.pdf. Accessed August 27, 2015.
⁴ Bailey CJ. Renal glucose reabsorption inhibitors to treat diabetes. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2011;32 (2):63-71
⁵ INVOKANA^® Product Monograph. Page 53. November 2014.
⁶ INVOKANA^® Product Monograph. Page 8. November 2014.
⁷ INVOKANA^® Product Monograph. Page 8. November 2014.
⁸ Canadian Diabetes Association. Type 2 Diabetes: The Basics. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/for-professionals/112020_08-399_type-2-diabetes-the-basics_0413_lc_final.pdf. Accessed August 27, 2015.
⁹ Canadian Diabetes Association. Diabetes Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/files/Diabetes_Fact_Sheet.pdf. Accessed August 27, 2015.
¹⁰ Canadian Diabetes Association. Diabetes: Canada at the Tipping Point. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/CDA/media/documents/publications-and-newsletters/advocacy-reports/canada-at-the-tipping-point-english.pdf. Accessed August 27, 2015.
¹¹ Canadian Diabetes Association. The Prevalence and Costs of Diabetes. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/about-diabetes/PrevalanceandCost_09.pdf. Accessed August 27, 2015.

SOURCE Janssen Inc.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with Dr. Debbie Knight please contact: Courtney McNamara, Edelman, [email protected], [phone]; Jennifer McCormack, Janssen Inc., [email protected], [phone]