More topics

Limited coverage criteria – secukinumab for hidradenitis suppurativa

Last updated on August 13, 2025

 

Return to Special Authority drug list

Generic name

secukinumab

Strength & form

150 mg/mL pre-filled pen (SensoReady)
150 mg/mL pre-filled syringe

Special Authority criteria

Approval period

Initial

For the treatment of adult patients 18 years of age and older with active moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) when ALL of the following criteria are met:

  • Patient has failed to respond to a recent continuous 90-day trial of systemic antibiotic therapy at optimal dosing1

AND

  • Patient has a total abscess and nodule count of 3 or greater with lesions in at least 2 distinct anatomical areas and at least 1 draining fistula

AND

  • Patient is assessed at Hurley Stage II or III

AND

  • Special Authority request is submitted by a dermatologist

6 months

Renewal

For the continued treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) when ALL of the following criteria are met:

  • Patient has attained and maintained a minimum 50% reduction in the sum of abscesses and inflammatory nodules count with no increase in abscess count or draining fistula count relative to baseline

AND

  • Special Authority request is submitted by a dermatologist
  

Practitioner exemptions

  • None

Special notes

  • 1Examples of optimal daily doses of antibiotics include:
    • Doxycycline 100 mg dosed once or twice daily (<100 mg daily is a suboptimal dose and NOT accepted)
    • Minocycline 100 mg dosed once or twice daily
    • Tetracycline 500 mg dosed twice daily
    • Clindamycin 300 mg dosed twice daily
    • Rifampin 600 mg dosed once daily (with or without another antibiotic)
    • Dapsone dosed 50-100 mg daily
    • Septra DS dosed twice daily
  • The physician must provide a baseline assessment of abscess count, nodule count, and draining fistula count at the time of initial request for reimbursement
  • PharmaCare coverage will not be provided for secukinumab in combination with other biologics for the treatment of HS
  • PharmaCare covers a maximum of 30 days' supply per fill of secukinumab
  • Additional information expected to assist with processing of coverage requests is detailed on the form linked below (and on the eForms published online)

Special Authority request form(s)