Alzheimer's Drug Therapy Initiative - Information for Clinicians

Dear Clinicians:

In Fall 2007, the Ministry of Health will begin providing coverage of cholinesterase inhibitors through the Alzheimer's Drug Therapy Initiative (ADTI) to address a clinical knowledge gap around the use of these drugs in individuals diagnosed in the mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease.

The goal of the ADTI is to generate and evaluate information on the safety, effectiveness, and appropriate use of these drugs in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and to inform future government policy on coverage of these medications.

PharmaCare will be providing limited coverage of three cholinesterase inhibitors - donepezil (Aricept™), galantamine (Reminyl™) and rivastigmine (Exelon™) for eligible individuals through the Special Authority process, beginning October 22, 2007. Please note that PharmaCare will not be providing coverage of these medications outside the ADTI research framework.

The ADTI is the result of many months of collaboration between the provincial government, the Alzheimer Society of B.C., clinical experts, researchers, drug manufacturers and practising clinicians. The ADTI Study Design Working Group, comprised of nationally-renowned researchers and experts in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, has developed the research framework. Over a three-year period, the data from this research will help to clarify who may benefit most from treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors and provide clinical and resource utilization data not otherwise available, including the potential impact on care providers.

For the ADTI to be successful, the support and cooperation of clinicians is essential. We hope you will participate in this worthwhile initiative.

Attached, please find a package of materials with information and assessment tools to assist you with the diagnosis and monitoring of your patient’s response to the medication.

In addition, to support you in providing dementia care for your patients, the ADTI is working in conjunction with UBC’s Continuing Professional Development and Knowledge Translation Division to implement the Dementia Education Strategy which includes regional dementia conferences, regional workshops and web-based training modules. For information on how to participate in the research studies, please see the attached Frequently Asked Questions and watch for future updates as the ADTI progresses.

Over 25,000 British Columbians have mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. With your support, we hope to provide the additional clinical evidence needed to support the funding of cholinesterase inhibitors for individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Bob Nakagawa, B.Sc. (Pharm.), ACPR, FCSHP
Assistant Deputy Minister
Pharmaceutical Services

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