Bausch Health, Canada Inc. announced that Quebec is the first province to list PrOKEDI (extended-release injectable suspension of risperidone) on the public drug reimbursement formulary. The listing by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) covers the 75 mg and 100 mg strengths, effective June 25, 2026, for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
Details of the Listing
PrOKEDI is a prolonged-release injectable suspension of risperidone indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults. According to the Canadian product monograph, it achieves clinically relevant concentrations within the first few hours after injection without requiring a loading dose or oral supplementation. It provides sustained release over a 4-week dosing interval.
This decision follows negotiations concluded earlier this year with the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (APP). Bausch Health will continue efforts with other provincial jurisdictions according to their reimbursement processes.
Impact on Patients and Healthcare
“This decision confirms the importance in providing timely access to innovative mental health treatments,” said Amy Cairns, General Manager, Bausch Health, Canada Inc. “By making PrOKEDI accessible, Quebec is concretely improving the range of therapeutic options available to people living with schizophrenia.”
Dr. Tin Ngo-Minh, MD, FRCPC, added: “The reimbursement of PrOKEDI is excellent news. It provides psychiatrists and healthcare teams with an additional effective treatment option for patients, both in hospitals and in the community.”
Denis Tremblay, Director of the Schizophrenia Society of Quebec, stated: “The Quebec Schizophrenia Society welcomes the arrival of a new medication that is now accessible to people living with schizophrenia in Quebec. Because each journey is unique and needs vary from one individual to another, it is essential that patients and their care teams have access to a range of treatment options. Each new medication represents another opportunity for individuals living with the condition to find a treatment that truly supports their recovery journey. For many individuals and families, increased access to therapeutic choices also brings hope and opens the door to new possibilities for well-being and stability.”
About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe psychiatric disorder that typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood and affects about 1% of the population. The illness is characterized by episodes of psychosis and loss of contact with reality, as well as emotional and cognitive symptoms. It affects how a person thinks, feels, behaves, and relates to others, often impairing functioning, relationships, employment and quality of life.
