Posted by Michael Wonder on 09 Jun 2017
Public funding of approved lung cancer treatments needed now
7 June 2017 - The Canadian Cancer Survivor Network and Lung Cancer Canada are calling on government and industry to help accelerate negotiations
On behalf of patients living with lung cancer and their loved ones, the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network and Lung Cancer Canada are calling on government and industry to help accelerate negotiations for public funding of Health Canada approved medications to ensure access for Canadian patients who urgently need them.
There are several new targeted and immunotherapy treatments for lung cancer currently under review by the pan-Canadian Oncology Review (pCODR) or awaiting negotiations with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance. These include Tagrisso (osimertinib), Keytruda (pembrolizumab), Tafinlar (dabrafenib) + Mekinist (trametinib) and Zykadia (ceritinib). These medicines can slow disease progression, prolong life and give patients more time with their families.
