HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Cancer causes job loss

Louise O'Brien · 02-20-2007, 02:50 PM

Hi Merridith

Just to confirm what a few others have said: The health ministries in each province decide their own cancer protocols/treatments/approval of drugs etc. And they can vary from province to province. Last fall Toronto's Globe and Mail produced a huge series on cancer and one of their articles focused on the differences between provinces when it came to treatment and funding.

The approval of Herceptin for early stage breast cancer is a good example. Even though it was approved for use by Health Canada (which is a federal government agency that investigates and approves drugs for use - similar to the FDA in the U.S.) not all provinces jumped on board at the same time.

In July 2005, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan approved the drug for early stage BC (one year before FDA approval in the U.S.). British Columbia followed in November 2005. I don't know when the other provinces weighed in.

If you're aware of a treatment, drug, protocol or financing issue accepted by other provinces, the first place to direct your concerns is the health ministry in your own province.

02-20-2007, 02:50 PM	#16
Louise O'Brien Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 75	Re: Treatments Hi Merridith Just to confirm what a few others have said: The health ministries in each province decide their own cancer protocols/treatments/approval of drugs etc. And they can vary from province to province. Last fall Toronto's Globe and Mail produced a huge series on cancer and one of their articles focused on the differences between provinces when it came to treatment and funding. The approval of Herceptin for early stage breast cancer is a good example. Even though it was approved for use by Health Canada (which is a federal government agency that investigates and approves drugs for use - similar to the FDA in the U.S.) not all provinces jumped on board at the same time. In July 2005, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan approved the drug for early stage BC (one year before FDA approval in the U.S.). British Columbia followed in November 2005. I don't know when the other provinces weighed in. If you're aware of a treatment, drug, protocol or financing issue accepted by other provinces, the first place to direct your concerns is the health ministry in your own province.