A new treatment option for advanced Parkinson’s disease is now available called VYALEV.  This treatment is the first and only 24-hour subcutaneous (under the skin) levodopa-based infusion therapy in Canada, to support the management of severe motor fluctuations and hyper-/dyskinesia.  

About VYALEV 

VYALEV (foslevodopa/foscarbidopa) is a solution of levodopa and carbidopa for continuous subcutaneous infusion for the treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease for patients who lack control of their motor symptoms. These symptoms are often treated with oral medications. As Parkinson’s progresses, oral treatments may become less effective over time.  

VYALEV is a device-aided therapy that continually delivers the medication they need. In the past, device-aided therapies usually required surgery. With the introduction of a subcutaneous solution such as VYALEV, some people with advanced Parkinson’s now have access to device-aided therapy that is far less invasive. 

This non-surgical option represents a step forward for symptom management and addresses an unmet need within the Parkinson’s community. “No one experiences Parkinson’s the same way, which is why it is critical that people with Parkinson’s have access to options that will help manage their symptoms across all stages of the disease. This announcement gives hope to people with Parkinson’s that they will have access to more options to help manage their disease, even in the advanced stages.” said Karen Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Parkinson Canada. 

Access to VYALEV [Updated November 22, 2024]

Vyalev has been added to the list of publicly reimbursed medications in the following provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

Each province decides what medications to include for coverage in their public drug plan. For members of the Parkinson’s community who reside in provinces and territories other than the provinces listed above, for now, coverage of VYALEV is limited to individuals who have private health insurance and by private payers.

The speed of these approvals in these provinces is encouraging. But we know that this leaves many in our community waiting. We hope that other provinces and territories will likewise move quickly to add VYALEV to their respective public drug plans. Parkinson Canada will continue to raise the voice of our community to ensure broad and equitable access for all Canadians living with Parkinson’s who may benefit from this treatment.

If you’re a person living with Parkinson’s, you should consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan.

For full information on VYALEV, the product monograph can be found here.