New Crohn’s Disease Treatment Now Approved for Coverage Canada-Wide

As of this summer, all Canadian provincial drug plans are covering Humira® (adalimumab), under special authority. Indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease who have had an inadequate response to conventional therapy, Humira is from a novel category of medicines called biologics. These are a burgeoning class of pharmaceuticals from the biotechnology sector designed to inhibit specific components of the immune system, which play a role in either fuelling or suppressing inflammation in conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Unlike Remicade® (infliximab), the first medication in this class, in use since 2001, Humira does not require in-clinic transfusion and can be self administered by individual patients or their caregivers. Patients prescribed Humira receive a comprehensive care and support package, called PROGRESS, designed to help build confidence in their ability to live day to day with Crohn’s disease, and to handle their self-injection schedule. This unique program offers home visits by nurses to review and assist with injection technique, support specialists that are a phone call away at any time day or night, in-depth printed resources, materials to assist with medication management, and assistance in obtaining reimbursement or coverage for medication expenses from your private or public health care plan.

Crohn’s disease can occur at any age but most frequently first occurs in children and youths. It is a serious, chronic, inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract, causing diarrhea, cramping, stomach pain, nutrition and weight loss and, rectal bleeding. About 10% of newly diagnosed cases are in children under age 10. Canada has the highest worldwide incidence and prevalence of Crohn’s disease yet reported.

The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. However, research conducted during the past ten years has established that a protein in the body called tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays a key role in the inflammation found in people with Crohn’s disease. TNF-α triggers inflammation as part of the body’s normal immune system response; however, individuals with Crohn’s have too much TNF-α in their gastrointestinal tract. The extra TNF-α can attack normal, healthy body tissues and cause inflammation. Humira is a TNF-α blocker and binds to this excess TNF-α in your body, decreasing the inflammation process in Crohn’s disease. For some moderate-to-severe Crohn’s patients, Humira will relieve these painful, chronic symptoms within a few weeks although for some it could take longer.

Dr. Jim Gray, chairperson of CSIR’s Medical Advisory Council, gastroenterologist, and Clinical Assistant Professor of gastroenterology at the University of British Columbia explains, “Currently, there is no cure for Crohn’s disease but, with the recent availability of new biotechnology drugs and, in particular, biologics like Humira, patients have found greatly reduced symptoms and less frequent complications from this lifelong disease. Furthermore, these medications have demonstrated cost savings for the healthcare system versus previous treatment management plans, including reductions in endoscopies, physician visits, hospitalizations, and associated nursing care.”

“Biologic drugs offer patients with inflammatory bowel disease hope, but they are expensive,” said Gail Attara, CSIR’s executive director “We are confident this decision by provincial health ministries across Canada will result in savings in the healthcare system and vast improvements in patients’ quality of life.”

Staff Writers
First published in The Inside Tract® Newsletter Issue 168 Summer 2008