Limited Coverage Drugs - Special Authority Criteria

Generic Name / Strength / Form
pioglitazone
Criteria Approval Period

As part of combination treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus:

WHEN insulin NPH is not an option;

AND AFTER inadequate glycemic control on maximally-tolerated doses of dual therapy of metformin AND a sulfonylurea.

Pioglitazone is contraindicated for patients with any class of heart failure (i.e., New York Heart Association Classes I, II, III and IV).

 Indefinite

Practitioner Exemptions
  • None

Special Notes
  1. Due to greater evidence of long-term benefit and enhanced cost-effectiveness, patients should be tried on metformin, sulfonylureas, and insulin NPH (considered and tried if applicable) before considering other agents.  
  2. Patients intolerant to a sulfonylurea may be considered for coverage. Patients intolerant to glyburide may try another sulfonylurea (e.g., gliclazide, which is available through the Special Authority program).
  3. PharmaCare coverage is intended for pioglitazone as part of combination diabetes treatment (e.g., not as monotherapy).
  4. Patients who meet the Limited Coverage criteria for pioglitazone automatically receive coverage for sitagliptin.
  5. Clinical judgment is warranted to assess the increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with concurrent cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure

Special Authority Forms

HL5358 - Pioglitazone/Sitagliptin (PDF 149K)