The program, which will be retroactive to July 1, 2004, provides financial assistance to qualified patients using Remicade for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis, severe Crohn’s disease, or fistulizing Crohn’s disease, and qualified patients using Embrel for the treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis.

Approved patients will be required to pay an income-based co-pay as well as the pharmacy’s professional fee for each prescription. Application for the Remicade and Embrel Program is a two-step process:

1.A Rheumatologist or Gasteroenterologist must send a completed and signed copy of the appropriate Remicade or Embrel Exceptional Drug Request form to the Program.

2.The patient must send a completed and signed copy of a Remicade and Embrel Program Income Assessment Form to the Program. Copies of recent Canada Revenue Agency Notices of Assessment or Re-Assessment for each person in the household completing an income tax return in the previous year must also be enclosed.

If approved, initial coverage may be provided for up to six weeks from the date of approval.

Continued maintenance coverage will require the Rheumatologist or Gasteroenterologist to complete and submit a new Exceptional Drug Request form to the Program. Maintenance coverage may be renewed for a maximum of 12 months from the date of approval and must be renewed annually.

For more information about the program, or to obtain copies of the Income Assessment Form, call the program office at 902-368-6716.