Prolastin-C and Glassia

On this page:

• Key steps for prescribers
• Eligibility criteria for Glassia
• Patient support
• Exceptional access to Prolastin-C
• Resources

On July 15, 2024, PharmaCare stopped covering alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (Prolastin-C) for new patients, as Canadian Blood Services (CBS) added the alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor Glassia to their formulary.

To secure Glassia for a patient through CBS, prescribers must submit the Request for Patient Designated Plasma Protein and Related Products form (PDF, 363KB) to show the patient meets eligibility criteria. If the patient is approved, CBS will initiate patient support.

In collaboration with BC Blood Services, CBS provides Glassia at no cost to patients, and in collaboration with OnePath patient support program, CBS coordinates product delivery to transfusion medicine laboratories for patient pick-up. Glassia is not dispensed through community pharmacies.

Key steps for prescribers

1. Submit the Prolastin-C Patient List Request form (PDF, 140KB) for a list of patients covered by PharmaCare.

2. Meet with patients and submit the CBS Request for Patient Designated PPRP form (PDF, 183KB).

If the patient meets criteria and is eligible, CBS initiates patient support.

Eligibility criteria for Glassia

Glassia can be requested from CBS for adult patients with severe A1-PI deficiency and clinical evidence of emphysema who meet the following criteria*:

• Respirologist has confirmed the diagnosis of severe A1-PI deficiency and clinical evidence of emphysema and indicated that patient would benefit from treatment with A1- PI product
• A1-PI deficiency, defined as serum A1-PI levels < 57 mg/dL before start of the treatment
• Clinical evidence of obstruction (FEV1 < 80% predicted)
• Patient must be non-smoker for at least 6 months
• Patient has not received a lung transplant

CBS will consider exceptional requests for new patients who do not meet the above criteria, on a case-by-case basis.

Patient support

The Takeda patient support program for Glassia, OnePath, determines where patients will receive Glassia. For questions about OnePath, contact support@onepathprogram or call 1-844-691-7284.

Exceptional access to Prolastin-C

As Prolastin-C is no longer covered by PharmaCare, exceptional access is through CBS for patients who experience adverse reactions to Glassia. This is the case for all provinces, except Quebec and Ontario.

Prescribers must first contact the transfusion medicine leads within their health authority to discuss and plan for in-hospital infusions.

Next, prescribers should contact CBS with details of the patient's adverse reaction(s) / intolerance to Glassia. Exceptional requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Prescribers must inform patients that there are no patient support programs for Prolastin-C. Instead, please coordinate home infusion, or directly with hospital transfusion medicine leads.

​Resources