Anyone on Halaven?
My onc wants me to start Halaven soon but he says it is quite expensive even for an invalid pensioner. He mentioned $900 for the first injection? and then it is free. Anyone know any more about accessing this drug.
Forum Discussion
- @brightspace @wendy_h67 any experience with this drug?
- Sorry unable to comment on personal use.
Hi Lesley
Halaven is on the PBS for treatment of metastatic breast cancer so you shouldn't need to pay more than the PBS script fee for it - which is currently $38.80 or $6.30 if you have a health care card.
You have not confused it with Faslodex have you? Faslodex is not on the PBS and there is a $900 cost over three months for it.
If you would like to call BCNA on 1800 500 258 and ask for me, I will see if we can sort this out for you.
Kathy (BCNA Policy Team)
- Thanks Cathy. My onc definitely said Halaven and it was $900 for the first shot. Maybe he is confused.
To be eligible for it via the PBS you need to have had at least two previous types of chemotherapy for metastatic disease and be having Halaven as a monotherapy (ie on its own - without any other PBS-subsidised treatments). Talk to your med onc about why you can't get it through the PBS. Don't pay for it without ringing us at BCNA first!
- Thanks Cathy. My onc definitely said Halaven and it was $900 for the first shot. Maybe he is confused.
- I hvae only had Aromatose inhibitors - no chemos as yet. Maybe that is why I am not eligible Kathy. He also mentioned Xeloda but I was quite distracted at the time and not sure if he meant Halaven plus Xeloda or either of them - just one at a time. I don't see him for another 6 weeks so I guess I will have to wait and see what he has to say then.
- @lesleyb let us know how you go.
