The Institut national d'excellence en santé et en
services sociaux refuses to list therapy, while other provinces fund the novel
treatment for men with metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer.
OTTAWA, March
27, 2013 /CNW
Telbec/ - Following the recent update to the list of medications covered by the
basic prescription drug insurance plan in Quebec, the Canadian Cancer
Survivor Network is very
disappointed that INESSS did not recommend cabazitaxel, the first and only
chemotherapy to have shown a significant survival benefit for men with
metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer that are not responding to other
treatments.
This decision from INESSS not to list cabazitaxel
on their provincial formulary, hence not making it eligible for public
reimbursement, limits access for patients with advanced prostate cancer in Quebec.
"For those men living with
prostate cancer in Quebec, this means that they cannot
access the product through the basic provincial coverage," said Jackie
Manthorne, President of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network. "The
inequalities and limits in access to this treatment option are unacceptable.
Access and availability to new options can provide patients with a better
chance of survival when dealing with such a difficult illness".
This evaluation by INESSS once
again highlights the current gaps in the system and the reality of patients
looking to access the right drug, at the right time! "The province is
moving away from this target" added Ms.
Manthorne. "This is a major setback for men dealing
with the disease and their families."
"Cabazitaxel fills a critical
treatment gap; it is an important therapy addition for patients living with
advanced prostate cancer and helps healthcare professionals in their efforts to
treat those patients. Hopefully the eventual availability of a drug like
cabazitaxel will signal the start of a new, more effective approach to help
these patients access the treatment," highlighted Dr.
Saad, Chief of Urology and Head of Urologic
Oncology, CHUM.
The provinces of Alberta,
Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario have already made JEVTANA® (cabazitaxel)
available for reimbursement on their public formulary. Reimbursement for
prescription drugs is not mandated by the CanadaHealth Act or any other federal legislation.
Provincial governments independently establish reimbursement plans.
"For the benefit of
prostate cancer patients in Quebec and for the clinical and therapeutic
value this drug can bring, we strongly hope INESSS will reconsider this
decision," concluded Dr. Saad.
About Prostate Cancer
In Canada, one man in seven men will develop prostate cancer and one in 28 will die of it1. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and its incidence has increased by 30 percent since 1988. While it is most commonly diagnosed after age 70, prostate cancer can also occur in men in their forties and fifties.2
In Canada, one man in seven men will develop prostate cancer and one in 28 will die of it1. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and its incidence has increased by 30 percent since 1988. While it is most commonly diagnosed after age 70, prostate cancer can also occur in men in their forties and fifties.2
For
many patients with prostate cancer, their disease continues to progress despite
prior treatment - including surgical and/or hormonal castration followed by
chemotherapy. Metastatic prostate cancer indicates that the cancer has spread
to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body, particularly the bones.
Castration resistant/hormone-refractory prostate cancer means that the cancer
has continued to grow despite the suppression of male hormones that fuel the
growth of prostate cancer cells. An estimated 10-20% of patients with prostate
cancer are diagnosed when the cancer has already metastasized.
About the Canadian Cancer
Survivor Network (CCSN)
The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network was created by a group of Canadians concerned about cancer. CCSN's mission is to empower collaborative action by cancer patients, families and communities to identify and work to remove barriers to optimal patient care, and to ensure that cancer survivors have access to education and action opportunities to have their voices heard in planning and implementing an optimal health care system. CCSN is committed to educate the public and policy makers about the financial, emotional and health costs of cancer and offer considered, positive ideas and recommendations to alleviate their effects. To learn more, visit www.survivornet.ca.
The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network was created by a group of Canadians concerned about cancer. CCSN's mission is to empower collaborative action by cancer patients, families and communities to identify and work to remove barriers to optimal patient care, and to ensure that cancer survivors have access to education and action opportunities to have their voices heard in planning and implementing an optimal health care system. CCSN is committed to educate the public and policy makers about the financial, emotional and health costs of cancer and offer considered, positive ideas and recommendations to alleviate their effects. To learn more, visit www.survivornet.ca.
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1 http://www.cancer.ca/Canada-wide/Aboutcancer/Cancerstatistics/Statsataglance/Prostatecancer.aspx?sc_lang=en
2 Prostate Cancer: Understand the Disease and its Treatment: Saad F, McCormack M; Annika Parance Publishing; 2012, p. 25
2 Prostate Cancer: Understand the Disease and its Treatment: Saad F, McCormack M; Annika Parance Publishing; 2012, p. 25
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