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YospralaBlue Cross Blue Shield of Texas

Reducing the combined risk of death and nonfatal stroke in patients who have had ischemic stroke or transient ischemia of the brain due to fibrin platelet emboli

Initial criteria

  • ONE of the following:
  • A. BOTH of the following:
  • 1. For Duexis or ibuprofen/famotidine requests, the patient has a diagnosis of at least ONE of Rheumatoid arthritis OR Osteoarthritis; OR for Vimovo or naproxen/esomeprazole requests, the patient has a diagnosis of at least ONE of Osteoarthritis in adults OR Rheumatoid arthritis in adults OR Ankylosing spondylitis in adults OR Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in adolescents weighing ≥ 38 kg.
  • 2. The patient has at least ONE of the following risk factors for developing NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers: age ≥ 65 years, prior history of peptic/gastric/duodenal ulcer, history of NSAID-related ulcer, history of clinically significant GI bleeding, untreated or active H. pylori gastritis, concurrent use of oral corticosteroids, concurrent use of anticoagulants, concurrent use of antiplatelets.
  • OR B. For Yosprala or aspirin/omeprazole requests: BOTH of the following:
  • 1. The patient has an indication of at least ONE of: reducing combined risk of death and nonfatal stroke after ischemic events; reducing risk of death and nonfatal MI with prior MI or unstable angina; reducing risk of MI and sudden death in chronic stable angina; use after revascularization with existing aspirin indication.
  • 2. The patient has at least ONE of the following GI ulcer risk factors: age ≥ 55 years, prior history of peptic/gastric/duodenal ulcer, history of NSAID-related ulcer, history of clinically significant GI bleeding, untreated or active H. pylori gastritis, concurrent oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants, or antiplatelets.
  • AND if the patient has an FDA labeled indication, ONE of the following: (A) age is within FDA labeling, OR (B) there is support for using the agent for the patient’s age for the indication.
  • AND ONE of the following:
  • A. There is support for why use of separate ingredients is not clinically appropriate OR
  • B. BOTH of the following: (1) The prescriber has stated or documented diagnosis of stage 4 advanced, metastatic cancer and agent is used for cancer or associated condition, AND (2) Use is consistent with best practices and evidence-based literature approved by FDA.
  • C. The prescriber states the patient is currently treated with and stable on the agent [chart notes required].
  • D. The patient has tried and had an inadequate response to the individual ingredients used separately [chart notes required].
  • E. The individual ingredients used separately were discontinued due to lack of efficacy/effectiveness, adverse event, or diminished effect [chart notes required].
  • F. The patient has intolerance or hypersensitivity to individual ingredients [chart notes required].
  • G. The patient has an FDA labeled contraindication to the individual ingredients [chart notes required].
  • H. The separate dosage forms are expected to be ineffective, cause adherence barriers, worsen comorbidity, decrease functional ability, cause adverse reaction, or cause harm [chart notes required].
  • I. The separate dosage forms are not in the best interest of the patient based on medical necessity [chart notes required].
  • J. The patient has tried another prescription drug in same class as ingredients used separately and discontinued due to lack of effect or adverse event [chart notes required].
  • AND the patient does NOT have any FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent.

Reauthorization criteria

  • The member resides in Ohio AND
  • The plan is Fully Insured or HIM Shop (SG) AND BOTH of the following:
  • A. The patient does NOT have any FDA labeled contraindications to the requested agent AND
  • B. ONE of the following:
  • 1. The patient has another FDA labeled indication for the requested agent and route of administration OR
  • 2. The patient has another compendia-supported indication OR
  • 3. The prescriber has submitted two peer-reviewed articles supporting the proposed use as generally safe and effective.

Approval duration

12 months