Velcade And Three Other Drugs To Be Funded By The Province (Ontario)
- From: J <macyinno@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:05:09 -0400
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/media/news_releases/archives/nr_06/jul/nr_070706.html
McGuinty Government Improving Access to Cancer-Fighting Drugs
Velcade And Three Other Drugs To Be Funded By The Province
News Release Printable Version [PDF] Backgrounder
July 7, 2006
TORONTO? The McGuinty government is improving access to better drug
treatment for approximately 1,400 people this year, rising to 2,600 next
year, with the funding of four new cancer-fighting drugs, Health and
Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.
"Ontarians engaged in a battle with cancer must have the support of our
government," Smitherman said. "We're committed to helping them in their
struggle by providing access to the medications and treatments that will
give them the best possible chance of winning their fight."
The McGuinty government will provide $8.2 million this year, increasing to
$15 million the next year, to provide coverage for the following drug
treatments :
* Velcade ? for the treatment of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that
affects bone marrow, when previous drug therapies have failed
* Taxotere ? for early stage breast cancer
* Tomudex ? for lung cancer {note by the poster - might be
mesothelioma}
* Tarceva ? for late-stage lung cancer.
The funding of these drugs is based on recommendations of the Drug Quality
and Therapeutics Committee (DQTC), an arm's length advisory body of
medical experts who assess the scientific evidence for drugs.
"This is great news for cancer patients in Ontario," said Cancer Care
Ontario CEO Terry Sullivan. "The government has moved responsibly, based
on best evidence, to ensure these drugs were properly reviewed and then
made available to patients as quickly as possible."
This is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government is on the
side of Ontario families concerned about health care. Other initiatives
include :
* Funding a post-market study on drug treatments for Fabry Disease
that provides treatment to eligible patients
* Establishing an external task force to provide advice to the
government on how to improve methadone treatment in the province.
* Passing the Transparent Drug Systems for Patients Act (Bill 102),
which is part of the government's reform of the provincial drug system to
ensure improved patient access to drugs and better value for money. The
Act is expected to save the government $277 million dollars per year,
money that can be used to fund more drugs like Velcade.
In the case of Velcade, the government was able to provide funding after
the drug manufacturer provided the DQTC with the information required to
support a positive funding recommendation.
"In the spirit of Bill 102, this is an example of a truly collaborative
effort, whereby the manufacturer, CCO, and the Ministry worked together to
address some of the initial concerns of the expert committee, which has
now resulted in a positive recommendation," said Smitherman.
Today's initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan for
innovation in public health, building a system that delivers on three
priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing
better access to doctors and nurses.
For further information :...see web page for specific names and phone
numbers.
and/or Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154
_ _ _ _ _
Tomudex = Raltitrexed. SYNONYM(S): Raltitrexed disodium, ZD-1694
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/DrugDatabase/DrugIndexPro/Raltitrexed.htm
(see the rest of the page for other details)
CLASSIFICATION: Antimetabolite, cytotoxic
MECHANISM OF ACTION:
Raltitrexed is a quinazoline folate analogue that selectively inhibits
thymidylate synthase (TS).3 Thymidylate synthase is a key enzyme in the de
novo synthesis of thymidine triphosphate (TTP), a nucleotide required
exclusively for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. Inhibition of TS
leads to DNA fragmentation and cell death.3 Intracellular retention of
polyglutamated forms of raltitrexed leads to prolonged inhibitory
effects.4 This permits a convenient dosing schedule of a single IV
injection once every 3 weeks.5
Raltitrexed is a radiation-sensitizing agent.6 It is cell cycle
phase-specific (S-phase).7
Primary uses: * Colorectal cancer 9-11
Other uses:Breast cancer 12
Gastroesophageal cancer 13
Mesothelioma 14
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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