Compassionate Drug Cards and Programs Canada

Flashcards covering Canadian compassionate drug programs, the Special Access Program, patient choice cards, and specific patient support programs like Innovicares, RxHelp, Novartis, and McKesson.

Special Access Program (SAP)

A program where Health Canada allows doctors to access non-marketed drugs not yet approved for sale for patients with life-threatening illnesses.

SAP eligibility

Limited to patients with life-threatening illness when conventional therapy has failed or is unsuitable or unavailable.

SAP drug distribution

Drugs are only sent to in-patient hospital pharmacies or doctors' offices.

SAP dispensing fee example

Manufacturers are allowed to charge a fee, for example, $15.00$.

SAP physician reporting

The physician must report on the results of the use of the drug obtained through this program.

SAP authorization disclaimer

Authorization does not provide an opinion on safety, quality, and efficacy of a drug.

SAP processing timeframe

Requests are usually processed within $24$ hours.

SAP operating schedule

The program operates $24$ hours per day, $365$ days per year.

Patient Choice Programs

Programs that allow the patient to remain on their brand name medicine with little or no additional cost over the generic equivalent.

Patient Assistance Programs

Programs that help offset or reduce out-of-pocket costs not covered by public or private drug plans, paid by the manufacturer up to a defined maximum.

Innomar Solutions

Associated with programs where some or all out-of-pocket patient costs are paid by the manufacturer of the product.

eSample Programs

Programs allowing patients to receive prescribed medication for a certain number of days at no cost, based on reasonable up-charge, mark-up, and customary pharmacy fee.

eSample Program accessibility

Access to these programs is designated as Physician Access Only.

Innovicares card

Patient choice cards available to patients who want brand name medication; they cover the cost difference between brand and generic.

Innovicares secondary coverage

These cards can be used in combination with existing private or public drug plans.

Innovicares functionality

Works like any other insurance card and pays a portion of the cost of participating medications at the point of purchase.

Innovicares registration perks

Includes refill reminders, email updates, and exclusive offers on health care products like eyeglasses and counselling.

Innovicares funding source

Funded by participating pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Innovicares historical distinction

The first card to coordinate multiple manufacturers and their products on a single, agnostic patient-focused program.

RxHelp Benefit program

A program used in conjunction with a current benefit plan to help offer patients brand name drugs at no additional cost.

Novartis Patient Support

Formerly known as Novartis Alliance, a group committed to providing access to Novartis medications through financial assistance.

Novartis Foundation

Provides free medication to patients with limited or no prescription drug coverage who meet income criteria assessment.

Novartis Oncology and Specialty products

Support programs for these specific items may include co-pay or deductible support if the patient has prescription coverage.

McKesson Specialty Health

Provides personalized patient care and support programs designed to meet each patient's needs with a team of nurses and pharmacists.

McKesson PSP elements

Main elements include patient enrollment, reimbursement assistance, drug distribution, injection services, education, and data reporting.

McKesson PSP funding

These personalized patient care programs are funded by Pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Specialty drug distribution

Unlike traditional models, these products are not always destined for retail pharmacies and require wholesaler involvement in inventory and lot tracking.

Cold-chain procedures

A specific activity required by wholesalers when managing specialty drugs for distribution.

Compassionate care

A type of Patient Assistance Program mentioned as part of the Rxhelp offerings.

Bridge to reimbursement

A specific support category under Patient Assistance Programs for offsetting out-of-pocket costs.

McKesson PSP Team

A team made up of nurses, pharmacists, technicians, and other health care providers.

SAP manufacturer release

Allows manufacturers to release a drug that cannot otherwise be sold in Canada.

Innovicares registration

Allows patients to register their card to receive additional perks like refill reminders.

Innomar solutions patient costs

Some or all out-of-pocket costs will be paid by the manufacturer up to a defined maximum.

eSample duration

Allows the patient to receive the medication for a certain number of days at no cost.

Innovicares payment point

The card pays a portion of the cost at the point of purchase at any pharmacy.

Traditional distribution models

Changing rapidly to accommodate the unique needs of specialty drugs.

Agnostic patient focused program

A description of the InnoviCares program, which was the first to coordinate multiple manufacturers on one card.

Novartis assessment criteria

Patients must undergo an assessment to meet specific income criteria to receive free medication.