We are pleased to inform you that apomorphine (MOVAPO) has received a positive recommendation by CADTH, the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health. Parkinson Canada filed a patient evidence submission for the review process that was informed by a survey from nearly 900 people with Parkinson’s and caregivers, as well as interviews with individuals using apormorphine in Europe. Here’s the full recommendation report from CADTH:

https://cadth.ca/sites/default/files/cdr/complete/SR0527_Movapo_complete-Jan-25-18.pdf

A positive recommendation means CADTH is recommending that the provinces offer public coverage for the cost of the drug for patients (with conditions):

APOMORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE (MOVAPO — PALADIN LABS INC.)

Indication: Parkinson’s disease

RECOMMENDATION:

The CADTH Canadian Drug Expert Committee (CDEC) recommends that apomorphine hydrochloride (apomorphine) be reimbursed for the acute, intermittent treatment of hypomobility “off” episodes (“end-of-dose wearing off” and unpredictable “on/off” episodes) in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD), if the following criterion and conditions are met:

 Criterion:

  • Apomorphine should only be used as adjunctive therapy in patients who are receiving optimized PD therapy (levodopa and derivatives and dopaminergic agonists) and still experiencing “off” episodes.

Conditions:

  • Patients treated with apomorphine should be under the care of a physician with experience in the diagnosis and management of PD.
  • Reduction in price.

This is a positive and necessary step to getting equitable access to the drug for people with Parkinson’s who would benefit from it; however, this is the beginning of the process.

Please don’t make any changes to your therapeutic regimen without discussing this first with a health professional. Remember that your doctor or pharmacist can help you manage your medications.

Parkinson Canada will continue to monitor the availability of apomorphine and will share updates as they become available. If you have any questions about this process or other matters concerning the Parkinson’s community, contact Parkinson Canada’s advocacy team at (800) 565-3000, ext. 3501 or email advocacy@parkinson.ca.