Question
 

Hi my name is David and I’m from Chile, but I am now living in Perth, Western Australia.

I have a friend who lives in Chile who has breast cancer.
The problem is that in Chile only one private clinic (it is not available in the public system) there has the medication that can save her, but the cost is extremely high.
I would like to know if it is possible to get some information about somewhere (a clinic or Doctor in another country) that can sell this medication to her.

Here is information provided from her Doctor:

Medication: Trastuzumab (not sure if this is the same name in English as in Spanish)
Grade 3 Tumor
5 to 6 centimeters
HERB-2 Positive +++

Any help would be appreciated

Kind Regards,
David Jaque

Re: Question
 

Hi David,
Sorry to hear about your friend.

The medication you are looking for, trastuzumab, is also known by the name Herceptin. It is available in many countries but the cost is definitely an issue - even here in the US where it is standard of care.

Herceptin is manufactured by Genentech and they do have a program to help with payment, you could start by contacting their patient access program. Link to the site is below.

I don't know how this plays out in the international arena, but they may be able to offer some suggestions.

Also, there may be clinical trials in Chile which would include trastuzumab. There is a link to the US clinical trials page (with locations also in Chile) but this may not be all inclusive. Again, Genentech may have more complete info

Best to you and your friend,
Chris


http://www.genentechaccesssolutions....ient/index.jsp

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/result...umab+AND+chile

Re: Question
 

All Genentech requires is that the patient be treated in the United States.

Regards
Joe

Re: Question
 

David,
The trial that Chris directed you to is a phase III study involving both trastubzumab (Herceptin) and lapatinib (Tykerb) that is world wide. Dr. Edith Perez at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville FL and a doctor Belgium are the principle investigators. Please look at the trial and give it serious consideration. I noticed three or four locations in Chile that are recruiting. The reason I know about this is because I just completed a stage II trial down at Mayo in Jacksonville. Lapatinib is also a targeted antibody like Herceptin, but it is an oral administration while Herceptin is intravenous. My lapatinib was provided free of charge while the Herceptin was billed to my insurance. I am sure if you contact one of the trial sites, they can give you a lot of information and assistance.

Good luck. Your friend is lucky to have you on her side.

Sandra