People with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in Quebec are now able to access a new treatment option through the province's Hospital Formulary. The approved funding allows physicians to use Perjeta (pertuzumab) in combination with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and docetaxel chemotherapy for the first line treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer with an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1.

The ECOG performance scale is a set of criteria used by physicians to assess how a patient's disease is progressing and how the disease is impacting their daily living abilities in order to identify appropriate treatment options.  Patients with an ECOG status of 0 or 1 are generally active, and able to carry out work either at a pre-disease performance level or of a light, sedentary nature (e.g., light house work, office work).

"We strongly value our partnerships with the provincial Ministries of Health and congratulate Quebec on this important decision that will benefit hundreds of women living with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in the province," said Mr. Ronnie Miller, President and CEO, Roche Canada.  "Our ability to collaborate with payers to help find ways to make our treatments more accessible to patients is a core tenet of our commitment to improving the patient experience in Canada."

For more details, go to: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1577245/quebec-adds-perjeta-pertuzumab-for-treatment-of-her2-positive-metastatic-breast-cancer-to-the-province-s-hospital-formulary