Limited coverage drugs – pioglitazone

Generic name	pioglitazone
Strengths	15 mg 30 mg 45 mg
Form	tablet

Special Authority criteria	Approval period
To be administered as part of a combination treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus: after inadequate glycemic control on maximum tolerated doses of dual therapy of metformin and a sulfonylurea or dual therapy of metformin and an insulin.	Indefinite

Practitioner exemptions

• None

Special notes

1. PharmaCare coverage for pioglitazone is intended for combination treatment of type 2 diabetes (e.g., not as monotherapy).
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 PharmaCare Special Authority). 
3. Clinical judgment is warranted to assess the increased risk of adverse outcomes in patients with concurrent cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure.
4. Pioglitazone is contraindicated for patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart failure Classes I to IV.

Special Authority requests

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• HLTH 5481 - Third-Line Anti-Diabetic Drugs (PDF, 672KB)