Low Cost Alternative (LCA) and Reference Drug Program (RDP) Data Files

• Downloadable files
• File Format
• Update Schedule, including mid-cycle updates and other special updates
• How to interpret the data files

Good news! LCA/RDP information is now downloadable

As of April 7, 2011 PharmaCare no longer publishes the Low-Cost Alternative (LCA) and Reference Drug Program (RDP) listings and updates in the PDF LCA/RDP Booklet and PharmaCare newsletters.

PharmaCare now provides regularly-updated Low-Cost Alternative (LCA) and Reference Drug Program (RDP) listings in three downloadable files.

Downloadable files

1. LCA Master Spreadsheet (XLS file size = 1.3M, last updated on February 2, 2012)
• includes all new and existing generic drugs within the LCA program with their current reimbursement limits
2. RDP Master Spreadsheet (XLS file size = 104K, last updated on February 2, 2012)
• includes all new and existing drug within the RDP program with their current reimbursement limits
3. LCA/RDP Updates Workbook (XLS file size = 163K , last updated on February 2, 2012)
• includes the following four spreadsheets that provide cumulative information on all new generic drug listings, all new LCA categories, all changes and effective dates for new LCA or RDP reimbursement limits, and any drug de-listings:
1. Summary Spreadsheet – summarizes the most recent changes made to the generics formulary, the LCA program or the RDP program
2. LCA Updates Spreadsheet – records all updates made to the master LCA spreadsheet since April 7, 2011, in a cumulative manner
3. RDP Updates Spreadsheet – records all updates made to the master RDP spreadsheet since April 7, 2011, in a cumulative manner
4. Non-benefit Spreadsheet – records all non-benefit generic drug listing decisions made since April 7, 2011, in a cumulative manner

File Format

The files are in Excel (XLS) format ready for use in any spreadsheet or database. This new format lets users search, sort and filter the data to suit their needs.

Update Schedule

Files will be updated monthly so users have access to the latest updates. Files will be updated on the first Thursday of every month.

Mid-cycle updates

On occasion, a change to the LCA or RDP program may come into effect between the regular monthly updates, such as the:

• implementation of generic drug pricing adjustments as set out in the Pharmacy Services Agreement;
• expedited implementation of coverage for significant first-entry generics.

In cases like this, PharmaCare will post refreshed online versions of the LCA and RDP master spreadsheets and the LCA/RDP updates workbook on the effective date of the PharmaCare reimbursement change.

Other special updates

On occasion, PharmaCare will post additional information on certain regular or mid-cycle updates to the LCA and RDP program data files. Any such updates are listed immediately below.

• Additional Information on Round 2 Pricing Changes ^(PDF 122K) (last updated on June 21, 2011)

How to interpret the data files

The PharmaCare Low Cost Alternative /Reference Drug Program Guide (PDF 263K) contains

• background information on the LCA and RDP programs
• detailed explanations of the data fields in the LCA and the RDP master spreadsheets

Refer to the general PharmaCare coverage policies for further information on these programs.