Provincial Government Lifts the Maximum Dose Caps for Lucentis and Eylea

The Provincial Government has immediately lifted the maximum dose caps for Lucentis and Eylea under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program.

Lucentis and Eylea are intravitreal injection drugs used in the treatment of retinal diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, macular edema and central retinal vein occlusion.

The Prescription Drug Program currently has caps on the number of intravitreal injections it covers per beneficiary. Once the maximum dosage is reached, beneficiaries have to pay out-of-pocket if they require further treatment.

With the lifting of the caps, a new, tiered retinal drug program is being implemented using Avastin as a first line of treatment. This drug is widely used by the ophthalmology community, and is similar to Lucentis and Eylea. Coverage of Lucentis and Eylea will continue for beneficiaries who are currently using these treatments under the Prescription Drug Program, or for patients who are not suitable candidates for Avastin use.