Palbociclib

Question

Please excuse my spelling guys, the names of these drugs do my head in! I have a friend who is currently taking this medication as a last attempt at slowing the progression of her metastatic cancer, she has been paying for this drug since the 26th of Feb out of her own pocket - 5k a month...it is now on the pbs from the 1st May but she doesn't qualify as she isn't a new patient. What the?. This drug is helping her surely there is some way of getting her access to it without her having to&nbsp; pay the exorbitant monthly price she currently is...if any of you have any ideas on how I might be able to get some help for on this I'd really appreciate it @Zoffiel I know you usually are pretty up to speed on the politics of these things?Thanks for any advice&nbsp;

patti_j · Answer

@Kat09. I don't fully understand the politics surrounding Palbociclib.I have been taking it since October, 2018. Fortunately my oncologist was able to get me on to the compassionate access program by 1st October, 2018. This meant that the most that I have had to pay was $50.I am now on the lowest dose because my white cells are always so low at the end of each cycle.Being on this drug means that I do not have to use oral chemo.So far, everything for me, is stable.Sometimes I forget that I have Mets. For me, at the moment, life is about experiences. Live in the present.

glemmis · Answer

Hi @Kat09, I understood that before this medication came onto PBS that one you were out of pocket $40,000 it was then free, not sure if this is right though. Also your friend’s oncologist can request a compassionate scheme where it is free after paying a certain amount. Other ladies may be able to clarify.

brightspace · Answer

Totally disappointing for those of us who having been on an AI We no longer fit the strict criteria set by the PbsTheir statement means that we dont get it freePatient $ numbers are factored in to the submissionYes it is at odds with the US mets patients who do receive this drug as a second line treatment

kat09 · Answer

It is. My friend has been battling with her cancer spreading for over 18 months and in the process suffered a heart attack and has had her lungs drained of fluid fortnightly for months. They recently operated on her lungs to help prevent the build up of fluid and thankfully this has helped. She is remarkably strong and went from being barely able to walk a few months ago to now driving occasionally again. I believe this drug has aided her substantially in her fight and am saddened that the financial aspect of treatment can't be eased a bit for her in what may be her last few months. ( hopefully years but unfortunately we don't think that's likely ):'(

primek · Answer

I think you need media intervention like Sunday night. Amazing hiw something like that can mean the companies or government changing the policy.

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