IG Transition Update – March

March 14, 2018

March 8th, 2018

 

Update on Immune Globulin Products in Canada

 

Dear CIPO member,

Over the last few months, we have sent three letters updating you about changes that are taking place across Canada in regards to certain immune globulin products. We know that some of you have voiced your concern about how these changes will affect you and your care, and we have relayed these concerns to Canadian Blood Services, the product suppliers and health care providers.

Recently we launched an initiative to help patients through this transition, working with specialist clinics and blood banks across Canada as well as Canadian Blood Services, to keep patients on IVIG and SCIG as well-informed as possible. These public forum information sessions have taken place in London, Toronto and Winnipeg with events planned in the following cities:

Ottawa: March 21st

Edmonton: March 27th

Calgary: April 18th

Halifax: TBD

Vancouver: TBD

 

All events will take place from 6:30pm-8:00pm and will have representatives from Canadian Blood Services, the blood bank, a treating specialist, the OnePath Patient Assistance Program, a nurse practitioner and a CIPO representative. These evening events will be a chance for you as a patient to have your questions answered. If you are unable to make it to an event near you, you can submit a questions via our website. For those unable to make it to an event, we are organizing a webinar for mid-April.

Important Note: If you currently receive products (IVIG or SCIG) via the Special Access Program (SAP) you will continue on these products and there will be no change to your treatment.

IVIG

IVIG patients currently on Gamunex and IVIGnex will most likely not see any change in product, but it is still possible depending on your region. Some patients currently on Privigen may change to Gammaguard (this change will be discussed with your healthcare provider). This is primarily due to a decrease in supply of Privigen into Canada over the next 3 years.

Panzyga will no longer be available with a complete phase-out planned for August/September 2018.  Patients currently on Panzyga will be transitioned onto Gammaguard.

Subcutaneous (SubQ)

Patients currently on Gamunex SubQ will continue.

Hizentra Pre-filled Syringes

Some patients will have already been introduced onto the Hientra Pre-filled Syringes (PFS). Patients receiving 1g or 2g of Hizentra are more likely to be transitioned onto the Hizentra PFS, as the vials are no longer available in those sizes. Your healthcare provider will discuss this change with you, if this introduction will occur for you.

Cuvitru

Hizentra will be phased-out from Canadian Blood Services formulary in September/October 2018, and patients currently on Hizentra will be transitioned to Cuvitru starting in April. This transition period will allow each patient to be trained and transferred onto Cuvitru.

Patient Support Program

Those patients currently enrolled in the Hizentra Care program will have the opportunity to enroll into Shire’s OnePath, the patient assistance program associated with Cuvitru. This patient assistance program will be comparable to the Hizentra Care program. If you are enrolled in the Hizentra Care program DO NOT start your Cuvitru treatment without giving consent to enroll into the OnePath program. You will receive an enrollment form from your clinic or healthcare provider, you will not be automatically enrolled.

If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment or how these changes affect you, please contact your healthcare provider.

Canadian Blood Services will continue to post updates on their website https://www.blood.ca/en/hospitals/customer-letters

CIPO National

info@cipo.ca

1-877-607-2467

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