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

October Bulletin Vol. 24-16 (PDF)
Criteria Updates: Maviret (glecaprevir/ pibrentasvir), Cabometyx (cabozantinib), Inlyta (axitinib), Lenvima (lenvatinib), Qulipta (atogepant); Change in Benefit Status

September Bulletin Vol 24-15 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Jubbonti (denosumab), Wyost (denosumab), Camzyos (mavacamten), Verquvo (vericiguat); Criteria Updates: Cosentyx (secukinumab); Change in Benefit Status; New Benefits.

August Bulletin Vol 24-14 (PDF)
Pharmacists’ Administration of Pneumococcal Vaccine to Prevent Pneumococcal Disease; New Exception Status Benefits: Livtencity (maribavir), Oxlumo (lumasiran), Posaconazole (Posanol); Criteria Updates: Lonsurf (trifluridine/tipiracil), Lynparza (olaparib), Rinvoq (upadacitinib); Change in Benefit Status

July Bulletin Vol 24-13 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefit: Vyalev (foslevodopa-foscarbidopa); Criteria Updates: Nucala (mepolizumab), Vfend (voriconazole) and generics; New Products; Pharmacy Guide Update

July Bulletin Vol 24-12 (PDF)
Pharmacists Prescribing of Antimicrobial Therapy for the Treatment of Early Lyme Disease

June Bulletin Vol 24-11 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefit: Empaveli (pegcetacoplan); Temporary Benefit: US - Labelled Carbamazepine Extended-Release (ER) Tablets, Orencia SC Prefilled Syringe; Change in Benefit Status; Magic Mouthwash; Updates to the Nova Scotia Pharmacy guide; Auditors' Corner

May Bulletin Vol 24-10 (PDF)
Removal of Pharmacy Prescription Renewal Limits; Criteria Code for COPD and Asthma Inhalers; New Exception Status Benefits: Jamteki (ustekinumab),Wezlana (ustekinumab);Criteria Update: Plaque Psoriasis, Crohn’s Disease; Change in Benefit Status; New Benefits

May Bulletin Vol 24-09 (PDF)
Sensor-based Glucose Monitoring Program Information

May Bulletin Vol 24-08 (PDF)
Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid) Availability in Nova Scotia; New Exception Status Benefits: Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir)

April Bulletin Vol 24-07 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Benlysta (belimumab), Ultomiris (ravulizumab); Criteria Update: Pegfilgrastim; Change in Benefit Status: Odan-Indomethacin, Odan-Indomethacin, Odan-Prochlorperazine, Proctol; New Benefits: Temporary Benefit – US-Labelled Colesevelam Hydrochloride Tablets

March Bulletin Vol 24-06 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Skyrizi (risankizumab), Xydalba (dalbavancin hydrochloride), Criteria Updates, Temodal and generic brands (temozolomide), Exjade and generic brands (deferasirox), Jadenu and generic brands (deferasirox); Change in Benefit Status: Olanzapine; New Benefits

March Bulletin Vol 24-05 (PDF)
Paxlovid Availability in Nova Scotia

February Bulletin Vol 24-04 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Kerendia (finerenone), Saphnelo (anifrolumab), Zeposia (ozanimod); Criteria Update: Brukinsa (zanubrutinib); New Benefits; Temporary Benefit – US-Labelled Glucagon Injection; Pharmacare News Bulletins Online; Updating Pharmacy Licence In CANImmunize; Ozempic Billing Reminder

February Bulletin Vol 24-03 (PDF)
Ozempic and Rybelsus Update

January Bulletin Vol 24-02 (PDF)

January Bulletin Vol 24-01 (PDF)
Cystic Fibrosis Therapies Update

Prescriber edition

Latest Issues

October Bulletin Vol. 24 – 15
Criteria Updates: Maviret (glecaprevir/ pibrentasvir), Cabometyx (cabozantinib), Inlyta (axitinib), Lenvima (lenvatinib), Qulipta (atogepant); Change in Benefit Status.

September Bulletin Vol 24-14
New Exception Status Benefits: Jubbonti (denosumab), Wyost (denosumab), Camzyos (mavacamten), Verquvo (vericiguat); Criteria Updates: Cosentyx (secukinumab); Change in Benefit Status; New Benefits.

August Bulletin Vol 24-13 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Livtencity (maribavir), Oxlumo (lumasiran), Posaconazole (Posanol); Criteria Updates: Lonsurf (trifluridine/tipiracil), Lynparza (olaparib), Rinvoq (upadacitinib); Change in Benefit Status

July Bulletin Vol 24-12 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefit: Vyalev (foslevodopa-foscarbidopa); Criteria Updates: Nucala (mepolizumab), Vfend (voriconazole) and generics; New Products

June Bulletin Vol 24-11 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefit: Empaveli (pegcetacoplan); Temporary Benefit - US - Labelled Carbamazepine Extended-Release (ER) Tablets & Orencia SC Prefilled Syringe; Change in Benefit Status; Magic Mouthwash

May Bulletin Vol 24-10 (PDF)
Criteria Code for COPD and Asthma Inhalers; New Exception Status Benefits: Jamteki (ustekinumab),Wezlana (ustekinumab);Criteria Update: Plaque Psoriasis, Crohn’s Disease; Change in Benefit Status; New Benefits

May Bulletin Vol 24-09 (PDF)
Sensor-based Glucose Monitoring Program Information

May Bulletin Vol 24-08 (PDF)
Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid) Availability in Nova Scotia; New Exception Status Benefits: Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir)

April Bulletin Vol 24-07 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Benlysta (belimumab), Ultomiris (ravulizumab); Criteria Update: Pegfilgrastim; Change in Benefit Status: Odan-Indomethacin, Odan-Indomethacin, Odan-Prochlorperazine, Proctol; New Benefits: Temporary Benefit – US-Labelled Colesevelam Hydrochloride Tablets

March Bulletin Vol 24-06 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Skyrizi (risankizumab), Xydalba (dalbavancin hydrochloride); Criteria Updates: Temodal and generic brands (temozolomide), Exjade and generic brands (deferasirox), Jadenu and generic brands (deferasirox); Change in Benefit Status: Olanzapine; New Benefits

March Bulletin Vol 24-05 (PDF)
Paxlovid Availability in Nova Scotia

February Bulletin Vol 24-04 (PDF)
New Exception Status Benefits: Kerendia (finerenone), Saphnelo (anifrolumab), Zeposia (ozanimod); Criteria Update: Brukinsa (zanubrutinib); New Benefits: Temporary Benefit – US-Labelled Glucagon Injection; Pharmacare News Bulletins Online

February Bulletin Vol 24-03 (PDF)
Criteria Update: Ozempic (semaglutide), New Exception Status Benefit, Rybelsus (semaglutide)

January Bulletin Vol 24-02 (PDF)

January Bulletin Vol 24-01 (PDF)
Cystic Fibrosis Therapies Update