Quebec Becomes First Province to Publicly Reimburse INVOKANA™* for Type 2 Diabetes

TORONTO, Feb. 3, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Effective February 2, 2015, INVOKANA™ (canagliflozin), an oral, once-daily prescription treatment to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes¹, will be included on the Quebec public formulary. Quebec is the first province to provide public reimbursement for INVOKANA™.

INVOKANA™ is the first in a new class of medications, sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, that offers a novel approach to treating diabetes by increasing the excretion of glucose in the urine, resulting in greater loss of calories.

Of the more than 830,000 Quebecers living with diabetes,² 90 per cent have been diagnosed with type 2.³ Despite the numerous treatment options available, approximately 50 per cent of patients don't reach the level of glucose control recommended by their doctor.⁴

"I see firsthand the struggles that people with type 2 diabetes face, and I applaud the province of Quebec for being the first province to grant public reimbursement to this innovative treatment option," says Dr Jean-François Yale, endocrinologist in Montreal.** "INVOKANA™ has been shown to achieve glycemic control, weight loss, and reduced blood pressure, with a low risk of hypoglycemia. These factors can help patients stay motivated to manage their condition."

People living with type 2 diabetes in Quebec and health care professionals are encouraged to learn more about the eligibility criteria for reimbursement of INVOKANA™ by the Institut national d'excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS) at the following link.

ABOUT INVOKANA^™

INVOKANA™ was approved by Health Canada on May 23, 2014, making it the first 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™ is currently approved for use in 57 countries.

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

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.⁶ If left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can result in a variety of complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease and nerve damage.⁷ 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 million⁸ and diabetes will cost the Canadian healthcare system $16.9 billion per year.⁹

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 Jean-François Yale was not compensated for any media work. He has been a paid consultant to Janssen Inc. 

References
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¹ INVOKANA™ Product Monograph. Page 3. November 2014.
² Diabetes Quebec. Myths and Statistics. Available at: http://www.diabete.qc.ca/en/understand-diabetes/all-about-diabetes/myths-and-stats. Accessed January 7, 2015.
³ Canadian Diabetes Association. Diabetes Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/files/Diabetes_Fact_Sheet.pdf. Accessed January 8, 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 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 January 8, 2015.
⁷ Canadian Diabetes Association. Diabetes Fact Sheet. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/files/Diabetes_Fact_Sheet.pdf. Accessed January 8, 2015.
⁸ 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 January 8, 2015.
⁹ Canadian Diabetes Association. The Prevalence and Costs of Diabetes. Available at: http://www.diabetes.ca/documents/about-diabetes/PrevalanceandCost_09.pdf. Accessed A January 8, 2015.

SOURCE Janssen Inc.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Dr. Yale : Jessica Gaulin, Edelman, [email protected], [phone]; Jennifer McCormack, Janssen Inc., [email protected], [phone]