DUODOPA Therapy

Duodopa® is used to treat patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who have severe and disabling motor symptoms that cannot be well controlled with available combinations of medications. It is a levodopa and carbidopa drug combination delivered in the form of a gel through an intestinal pump.

The therapy enables people to live independently in their own homes for many more years. For a young person, it means greater employment options or the opportunity to go back to work. For an older person, life at home continues instead of disabling symptoms forcing an individual into long term care or hospitalization. Furthermore, it can provide relief to caregivers by reducing their responsibilities in the role, improving their own health and offering more flexible employment options. 

This drug has been approved by Health Canada, and as of December 10, 2020, is covered under BC PharmaCare's Special Authority. While the cost of the drug is $60,000 per year, there are very few patients in BC that will be good candidates for this therapy. It is the only hope that these few patients have of avoiding the progression of their symptoms. It is also an opportunity for the BC Government to minimize or avoid costs for home care, emergency services, hospitalization and/or long term care. 

For questions related to Duodopa®, or other advocacy initiatives through Parkinson Society BC, please contact Jean Blake, CEO at jblake@parkinson.bc.ca, 604-662-3240 ext. 234, or 1-800-668-3330.