RADICAVA IV (edaravone)

On October 10, 2024, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada announced that RADICAVA IV will be discontinued for use in Canada as part of the transition to RADICAVA Oral Suspension.

RADICAVA IV (edaravone) is an intravenous (IV) medication for the treatment of ALS.

The medication is a free radical scavenger believed to reduce oxidative stress. When dysregulated, free radicals can cause significant damage to cells and, in ALS, contribute to motor neuron degeneration. Edaravone is thought to mitigate oxidative damage in ALS by reducing these free radicals.

RADICAVA was shown to slow disease progression in a clinical trial, however, the medication is not a cure for ALS and patients will still progress while undergoing treatment. This medication cannot reverse nerve damage that has already occurred.

Our advocates used the e-advocacy tool developed by ALS Canada and emailed the Minister of Health in their province, asking that RADICAVA (edaravone) be made accessible through public reimbursement without further delay. Over 3,000 Canadians sent letters as part of the campaign.

ALS Canada submitted a patient input submission to the CADTH as part of its clinical and economic review of RADICAVA (edaravone).

In December 2018, ALS Canada submitted patient evidence to the Ontario Public Drug Program as part of its independent drug review process to make coverage decisions about RADICAVA (edaravone). The submission’s content was based on the CADTH patient input submission and a survey distributed to people living with ALS in Ontario who were accessing RADICAVA (edaravone) through the MTPC Edaravone Canadian Supply Programme.