Biogen Canada announces today that Quebec's Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS) has updated its recommendation for Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) 120 mg and 240 mg to be included on the provincial drug formulary under "Médicament d'exception" as first-line oral treatment for adults with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Tecfidera is indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of RRMS to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations and to delay the progression of disability.

"Tecfidera is an important first-line oral treatment for MS, which offers oral convenience coupled with a favourable efficacy and safety profile," says Dr. Donald Rivest , neurologue à l'Hôtel-Dieu de Lévis. "The expansion of available therapeutic options in Quebec will have a positive impact on the lives of MS patients." 

As of June 1, 2015, Tecfidera is listed on the Quebec drug formulary under "Médicament d'exception" as a benefit for first-line monotherapy for adult patients (18 years of age or older) with RRMS. Criteria for the coverage of Tecfidera include: 

• Diagnosed according to the McDonald criteria (2010); 
• Presentation in the adult patient of one relapse of MS during the last year; 
• An Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score less than seven.

For more details, go to: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/quebec-government-cover-tecfidera-first-120000309.html