Q: Am I eligible for this program based on my medical and pharmaceutical insurance coverage?
A: The Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) Nurse Home Injection Program is intended as a benefit for all eligible patients with diarrhea and flushing associated with carcinoid syndrome for whom Sandostatin® LAR Depot has been prescribed. As of now, residents of all states except Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Rhode Island can participate. Currently, reimbursement for home injections is provided to members of most commercial plans (eg. HMO, PPO). Patients with government-provided medical insurance—Medicare Parts B and D, or Medicaid—are not covered at this time. You can determine your eligibility by calling BioScrip®, the company that coordinates this Program on behalf of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. The toll-free number to call is 1-888-LAR-4759 (1-888-527-4759).
Q: According to my disease state, am I a candidate for this Program?
A: This Program is for patients with diarrhea and flushing associated with carcinoid syndrome. If you have been prescribed Sandostatin® LAR Depot for the first time, the initial dose of therapy must be given in a doctor's office or clinic. Further evaluation of your status will determine whether or not you are a candidate. If you have an approved insurance plan and you qualify clinically, enrollment is easy.
Q: What are the main benefits of the Sandostatin® LAR Depot Nurse Home Injection Program?
A: The Program provides appropriately and conveniently delivered therapy:
- All responsibility for appropriate administration of Sandostatin® LAR Depot is assumed by the specially trained registered nurse who comes to your home
- All the guesswork is removed as you receive the right dose at the right time with the right technique
The Program also offers nursing evaluation and follow-up:
- You'll have ample time for your nurse to answer questions
- Your nurse will send a report to your doctor after each visit
- Your nurse will make the next appointment and follow up with a reminder
Q: How flexible is the scheduling?
A: The home visit by a registered nurse combines the convenience of home care with the quality of a good clinical experience. Incorporating Sandostatin® LAR Depot into your schedule is easy. This Program even lets you receive therapy beyond the traditional office hours if you prefer. Evenings and weekends may be possible too.
Q: How is my nurse selected?
A: A specially trained registered nurse is selected by BioScrip® to administer the injections in your home. All the nurses in the Program have been fully instructed and evaluated in their knowledge of carcinoid syndrome, the prescribing information for Sandostatin® LAR Depot, and the mixing and injection process. All nurses in the Program are continuously monitored by Nurse Coordinators at BioScrip® and are in regular contact with your prescribing doctor.
Q: How does the Sandostatin® LAR Depot get to my home?
A: You can continue to get your prescription for Sandostatin® LAR Depot in the way you normally do. Insurance coverage for the drug is independent of coverage eligibility for home injections. Depending on your pharmacy coverage, the drug may be shipped to your home or local pharmacy for pickup. These details can be easily worked out with a BioScrip® Case Coordinator, and you can tell the Coordinator what is most convenient for you.
NOTE: Sandostatin® LAR Depot must be refrigerated immediately upon receipt and until use.
Q: Will I still see my doctor regularly?
A: Yes. Physician evaluation and biochemical testing will still occur at appropriate intervals as determined by your doctor. You will still be expected to stick to the office visit schedule that your doctor recommends. The only difference is that monthly injections will be administered at home. Schedules are planned according to nursing orders from your doctor.
Q: Does this involve a lot of paperwork on my part?
A: No. The enrollment form, which you can download here, will be filled out at the doctor's office, signed by you, and faxed to BioScrip®. After this, most of the communication takes place by phone. The Nurse Coordinator calls you for interviews and assessments before the first visit. All scheduling is done by your nurse and is then communicated to the scheduler at BioScrip®.
To print a complete list of questions and answers, click here.
Sandostatin® LAR Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension) is indicated for long-term treatment of the severe diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with metastatic carcinoid tumors and for the long-term treatment of the profuse watery diarrhea associated with VIP-secreting tumors in patients in whom initial treatment with immediate release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection has been shown to be effective and tolerated.
Important Safety Information
As with immediate release Sandostatin® Injection, the most frequently reported drug-related adverse events were biliary disorders (62%), gastrointestinal disorders (14% to 38%), and injection-site pain (20% to 50%). Hypoglycemia (4%), hyperglycemia (27%), sinus bradycardia (19%), conduction abnormalities (9%), and arrhythmias (3%) have been reported.
The controlled clinical trials that support the marketing clearance for Sandostatin® LAR Depot did not include determination of effect on tumor size or rate of growth. Sandostatin® LAR Depot is not indicated for tumor shrinkage. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
