Bausch Health Canada Announce Arazlo (tazarotene) was Added to the Quebec Public Drug Plan for Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

Bausch Health, Canada is pleased to announce that on November 9, 2022, Arazlo (tazarotene) was added to the Quebec public drug plan formulary (Liste des médicaments de la Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec). Arazlo (tazarotene) is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 10 years of age and older.

This new listing is in addition to Arazlo already being listed for public reimbursement on the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Drug Benefit List, the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary, the Alberta Drug Benefit List, and the Saskatchewan Formulary.

In late August, Bausch Health, Canada signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for Arazlo.

Bausch Health, Canada continues to collaborate with all other participating jurisdictions to accelerate formulary listing additions and maximize patient access in Canada.

Acne vulgaris is a skin condition that begins with the formation of a plug in the hair follicles. The plug is made up of surface skin, oil, and bacteria. It is seen as a whitehead or blackhead (comedones). After the formation of the plug, oil in the gland escapes into the surrounding skin and causes inflammation which is seen as papules, pustules, or cysts.

Arazlo works by helping the normal growth of the skin cells (keratinocytes) and reducing skin inflammation in acne.

These recent public reimbursements are an important step in helping provide new dermatology treatment options for Canadian patients.