PROVINCE EXPANDS COVERAGE OF BREAST CANCER DRUG HERCEPTIN

Released on July 22, 2005

Saskatchewan Health has approved $3.4 million dollars in annual expenditures to cover the costs of a drug therapy that is promising for some early stage breast cancer patients.

The province approved expanded coverage of the drug Herceptin, after reviewing an application from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA) on the cost and operational implications. Herceptin has traditionally been given to patients in the advanced stages of HER-2 positive breast cancer, but will now be available to others who are eligible in the early stages of the disease.

Eligible women who have completed chemotherapy within the past six months will have access to Herceptin through the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, effective today. The SCA will contact these women and work with its staff to implement this treatment in the coming weeks.

To receive Herceptin, patients must test positive for HER-2, a protein that makes cancer more aggressive and difficult to treat. Herceptin stops the growth of cancer cells that produce too much HER-2, something that occurs in about 20 per cent of breast cancer patients. Because Saskatchewan already tests all women for HER-2 at the time of cancer diagnosis, it will not incur the same additional costs and staffing issues that other jurisdictions may face.

"Clinical trials show that Herceptin can give new hope to certain women in the early stages of breast cancer," Health Minister John Nilson said. "This significant increase in funding reflects our government's commitment to leading edge cancer care, and our belief that this drug will provide another effective option for patients diagnosed with breast cancer."

Herceptin has been used to treat Saskatchewan women with advanced stage metastatic breast cancer for about five years. However, only very recently was its additional potential identified in clinical trials. Research showed a significant reduction in cancer recurrences among patients treated with Herceptin after completing chemotherapy. Since then, provinces across Canada have sought further information on its cost implications and clinical effectiveness.

"The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency would like to acknowledge the quick action of the provincial government in approving this funding," SCA Chief Executive Officer Bob Allen said. "This rapid response was also the result of extensive dialogue and co-operation between the SCA and Saskatchewan Health in assessing the clinical evidence and determining the benefits for Saskatchewan women. Over the next two to three weeks, we will contact all eligible patients and make every effort to accommodate the increase in chemotherapy appointments in as timely a manner as possible."

Approximately seventy Saskatchewan women every year have the potential to benefit from Herceptin. An annual course of treatment costs about $48,000 per patient. Saskatchewan is among the first provinces to expand its coverage in this manner. Nilson said the decision, along with this year's budget increase, means a 52 per cent or $9.5 million increase in funding to the SCA for cancer drugs alone.

"This decision exemplifies the province's efforts to balance compassionate government with responsible government. When our financial resources are limited, we must base our decisions on sound evidence," Nilson said.

Individuals who have questions about their eligibility for Herceptin or its potential benefits for them are advised to contact their oncologist at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre at (306) 655-2662 or the Allan Blair Cancer Centre in Regina at (306) 766-2213.

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For More Information, Contact:

Lindy McIntyre Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-8214