Montana
07-22-2005, 09:49 AM
Ontario to pay for cancer drugs
Last updated Jul 22 2005 10:27 AM EDT
CBC News
Health minister George Smitherman announced Friday the McGuinty government will pay for three new and expensive cancer-fighting drugs, including Herceptin, a breakthrough therapy for breast cancer.
Friday's announcement a win-win for breast, lung and prostate cancer patients, says Smitherman. (File photo)
Friday's announcement a win-win for breast, lung and prostate cancer patients, says Smitherman. (File photo)
"Today's announcement is a win-win for breast, lung and prostate cancer patients who will benefit from the coverage of these new treatments," Smitherman in a statement.
Herceptin comes at a cost of about $40,000 a year. It's estimated that 2,000 women annually in Canada could benefit from the drug.
* FROM MAY 13, 2005: Breast cancer treatment hailed as 'breakthrough'
"This is an extremely important development in women's health care in this province," said Dr. Carol Sawka of Cancer Care Ontario.
The cancer drugs:
* Herceptin (Trastuzumab) – for early breast cancer (stages 1, 2 and 3), as well as late-stage breast cancer
* Navelbine (Vinorelbine) – for lung cancer
* Taxotere (Docetaxel) – for prostate cancer
"Access to this drug will make a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of women in Ontario who are dealing with breast cancer."
The province will also pay for two other drugs, Navelbine for lung cancer, and Taxotere for prostate cancer.
* EXTERNAL LINK: Ontario Health Ministry External site
The estimated cost to taxpayers for the therapies is $148 million over the next three years.
The announcement comes upon the recommendations of the Drug Quality and Therapeutics Committee (DQTC), an advisory body of medical experts who assess the scientific evidence for new drugs and make recommendations to the government for funding.
In the case of Herceptin, the government said it was able to fast-track the review process, meaning that the drug was recommended several months sooner than would normally have been the case.
Ontario becomes the second province to fund Herceptin, after British Columbia announced earlier this month that it would cover the cost of the drug that fights an aggressive form of breast cancer in its early stages.
Last updated Jul 22 2005 10:27 AM EDT
CBC News
Health minister George Smitherman announced Friday the McGuinty government will pay for three new and expensive cancer-fighting drugs, including Herceptin, a breakthrough therapy for breast cancer.
Friday's announcement a win-win for breast, lung and prostate cancer patients, says Smitherman. (File photo)
Friday's announcement a win-win for breast, lung and prostate cancer patients, says Smitherman. (File photo)
"Today's announcement is a win-win for breast, lung and prostate cancer patients who will benefit from the coverage of these new treatments," Smitherman in a statement.
Herceptin comes at a cost of about $40,000 a year. It's estimated that 2,000 women annually in Canada could benefit from the drug.
* FROM MAY 13, 2005: Breast cancer treatment hailed as 'breakthrough'
"This is an extremely important development in women's health care in this province," said Dr. Carol Sawka of Cancer Care Ontario.
The cancer drugs:
* Herceptin (Trastuzumab) – for early breast cancer (stages 1, 2 and 3), as well as late-stage breast cancer
* Navelbine (Vinorelbine) – for lung cancer
* Taxotere (Docetaxel) – for prostate cancer
"Access to this drug will make a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of women in Ontario who are dealing with breast cancer."
The province will also pay for two other drugs, Navelbine for lung cancer, and Taxotere for prostate cancer.
* EXTERNAL LINK: Ontario Health Ministry External site
The estimated cost to taxpayers for the therapies is $148 million over the next three years.
The announcement comes upon the recommendations of the Drug Quality and Therapeutics Committee (DQTC), an advisory body of medical experts who assess the scientific evidence for new drugs and make recommendations to the government for funding.
In the case of Herceptin, the government said it was able to fast-track the review process, meaning that the drug was recommended several months sooner than would normally have been the case.
Ontario becomes the second province to fund Herceptin, after British Columbia announced earlier this month that it would cover the cost of the drug that fights an aggressive form of breast cancer in its early stages.