Pharmacare News Bulletins
Nova Scotia Pharmacare
Pharmacare News Bulletins
The Pharmacare News Bulletins, which are mailed to pharmacies and prescribers, are listed below. They are an important source of information as they provide timely information on recent changes to the Pharmacare Programs.
Please continue to refer to the Pharmacare News Bulletins to stay current with Formulary and Pharmacare Program updates.
Pharmacy edition
Latest Issues
November Bulletin Vol 23-16 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Foquest (methylphenidate hydrochloride), Tezspire (tezepelumab), Verzenio (abemaciclib)
October Bulletin Vol 23-15 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Cibinqo (abrocitinib), Retevmo (selpercatinib), Tremfya (guselkumab)
September Bulletin Vol 23-14 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Firdapse (amifampridine), Lorbrena (lorlatinib), Xpovio (selinexor), Qinlock (ripretinib)
September Bulletin Vol 23-13 (PDF)
Criteria Update: Lynparza (olaparib)
August Bulletin Vol 23-12 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Vimizim (elosulfase alfa); Vyepti (eptinezumab); Criteria Updates: Jakavi (ruxolitinib); Tykerb (lapatinib); New Benefits
August Bulletin Vol 23-11 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits:Albrioza (sodium phenylbutyrate and ursodoxicoltaurine)
July Bulletin Vol 23-10 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Givlaari (givosiran); Criteria Update: Norfloxacin; New Benefit; Reminder; Updates to the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Guide; Standardization of Package Sizes; Product Shortages
July Bulletin Vol 23-09 (PDF)
Expansion of Public Coverage for Pharmacy Services: Therapeutic Substitution and Prescription Adaptation
June Bulletin Vol 23-08 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Dojolvi (triheptanoin), Scemblix (asciminib) & Vitrakvi (larotrectinib)
June Bulletin Vol 23-07 (PDF)
Prescription Renewals for Emergency Pharmacy Closures; Change in Benefit Status
May Bulletin Vol 23-06 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Brukinsa (zanubrutinib), Increlex (mecasermin); Change in Benefit Status
April Bulletin Vol 23-05 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Bimzelx (bimekizumab), Reblozyl (luspatercept), Ruzurgi (amifampridine); New Benefits
March Bulletin Vol 23-04 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Emgality (galcanezumab), Tukysa (tucatinib); Criteria Updates: Levemir (insulin detemir), Lenalidomide; New Benefit; Change in Benefit Status; Update to CPAMS Criteria; Updates to the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Guide
February Bulletin Vol 23-03 (PDF)
Pharmacists Completing and Submitting Exception Status Drug (ESD) Forms; Pharmacy Services in Nursing Homes; Change in Benefit Status; New Exception Status Benefits: Rinvoq (upadacitinib); Criteria Updates: Tagrisso (osimertinib), Biologics for Ankylosing Spondylitis, Ajovy (fremanezumab); New Benefit; Non Insured Product
January Bulletin Vol 23-02 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Onureg (azacitidine), Arazlo (tazarotene), Enspryng (satralizumab); New Benefits; Temporary Benefit: Moxilen Forte 250mg/mL (amoxicillin) Oral Susp
January Bulletin Vol 23-01 (PDF)
Nova Scotia Biosimilar Initiative: End of Biosimilar Transition Period, Biosimilar Insulins – Info for Pharmacists, Therapeutic Substitution Service – Biosimilar Insulins, Use of Criteria Codes for One-Time Extension of Originator Insulin; Therapeutic Substitution Service – Paediatric Antibiotics
Prescriber edition
Latest Issues
November Bulletin Vol 23-13 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Foquest (methylphenidate hydrochloride), Tezspire (tezepelumab), Verzenio (abemaciclib)
October Bulletin Vol 23-12 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Cibinqo (abrocitinib), Retevmo (selpercatinib), Tremfya (guselkumab)
September Bulletin Vol 23-11 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Firdapse (amifampridine), Lorbrena (lorlatinib), Xpovio (selinexor), Qinlock (ripretinib)
September Bulletin Vol 23-10 (PDF)
Criteria Update: Lynparza (Olaparib)
August Bulletin Vol 23-09 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Vimizim (elosulfase alfa); Vyepti (eptinezumab); Criteria Updates: Jakavi (ruxolitinib); Tykerb (lapatinib); New Benefits
August Bulletin Vol 23-08 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Albrioza (sodium phenylbutyrate and ursodoxicoltaurine)
July Bulletin Vol 23-07 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Givlaari (givosiran)
June Bulletin Vol 23-06 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Dojolvi (triheptanoin), Scemblix (asciminib), Vitrakvi (larotrectinib)
May Bulletin Vol 23-05 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Brukinsa (zanubrutinib), Increlex (mecasermin); Change in Benefit Status
April Bulletin Vol 23-04 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Bimzelx (bimekizumab), Reblozyl (luspatercept), Ruzurgi (amifampridine); New Benefits
March Bulletin Vol 23-03 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefit: Emgality (galcanezumab), Tukysa (tucatinib); Criteria Updates: Levemir (insulin detemir), Lenalidomide; New Benefit; Change in Benefit Status
February Bulletin Vol 23-02 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefit: Rinvoq (upadacitinib); Criteria Updates: Biologics for Ankylosing Spondylitis, Tagrisso (osimertinib); Change in Benefit Status; New Benefit; Non Insured Product
January Bulletin Vol 23-01 (PDF)
End of Biosimilar Transition Period, New Exception Status Benefits: Arazlo (tazarotene), Onureg (azacitidine), Enspryng (satralizumab); Criteria Update: Ajovy (fremanezumab); New Benefits; Temporary Benefit: Moxilen Forte 250mg/mL (Amoxicillin) Oral Susp
Previous Pharmacy Bulletins
Complete Volume Twenty Two 2022 (PDF)
Complete Volume Twenty One 2021 (PDF)
Complete Volume Twenty 2020 (PDF)
Complete Volume Nineteen 2019 (PDF)
Complete Volume Eighteen 2018 (PDF)
Complete Volume Seventeen 2017 (PDF)