Prolastin-C and Glassia

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

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

Canadian Blood Services, in collaboration with BC Blood Services, provides Glassia at no cost to patients. Canadian Blood Services, in collaboration with OnePath patient support program, will coordinate 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 PharmaCare-covered patients to contact

2. Meet with patients and submit the CBS Request for Patient Designated PPRP form (PDF, 363KB)

3. If patient meets criteria and is eligible, Canadian Blood Services initiates patient support

Eligibility criteria for Glassia

Glassia can be requested 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 nonsmoker for at least 6 months
• Patient has not received a lung transplant

Canadian Blood Services will consider exceptional requests from prescribers for Glassia for new patients who do not meet the above criteria on a case-by-case basis.

Exceptional access for Prolastin-C

A small number of patients may experience adverse reactions to Glassia. Canadian Blood Services will consider exceptional requests for Prolastin-C on a case-by-case basis for patients with a documented intolerance to Glassia. 

To request exceptional access, prescribers:

1. Contact Canadian Blood Services with a request to transition a patient to Prolastin-C. The patient must already be approved for Glassia.
2. Provide details of the patient's adverse reaction(s)/intolerance to Glassia. Prescribers must inform patients that patient support programs do not assist with Prolastin-C infusions. Patients must coordinate infusions directly with hospitals or self-infuse at home. 

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.

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