Vol. 3 No. 2 (2023)
Reimbursement Recommendations

Belimumab (Benlysta)

Published February 7, 2023

Key Messages

  • CADTH recommends that Benlysta be reimbursed by public drug plans in addition to standard therapy for treatment of active lupus nephritis (LN) in adult patients.
  • Benlysta should only be covered to treat adult patients with class III or IV, with or without class V, or pure class V active LN and who have started standard induction therapy within the previous 60 days. Benlysta should not be covered to treat patients who previously failed induction therapies or patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2.
  • Benlysta should only be reimbursed if prescribed by either a rheumatologist or nephrologist with experience managing LN and if the cost of Benlysta is reduced.