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Marianne_BCNA's avatar
Marianne_BCNA
Member
7 years ago

Two steps forward, one step back – news on access to CDKs in second line treatment

Hello everyone,

BCNA has an update on access to CDKs as second line treatment. Pfizer have this week advised BCNA about a new capped access program for the CDK inhibitor palbociclib (lbrance) which will be available from October 1, 2018.

This means you still have to pay for around 8 months of treatment (at a cost of around $40000) but after that time it will be free.

We understand that this is still a huge cost but it is an important step forward because people will at least know how much they will have to find should they want to proceed with this line of treatment.

BCNA is continuing to work for our members in this space and we’re very pleased to be able to advise that we have been able to negotiate with Pfizer that anyone who can show that they have already paid $40000 (for either first or second line treatment) can immediately move across to the capped program and no longer have to pay.

For further information, go to our website. 

Please help us share the news to anyone you know who may currently be paying for Palbociclib.

metastatic-breast-cancer
palbociclib
  • Patti_J's avatar
    Patti_J
    Member
    7 years ago
    Really well thank you @arpie. As mentioned above, with the capped access program, from 1st October, you have to pay the $40,000 no matter what. There was a small window of opportunity to enrol for the Palbociclib and AI. My oncologist just made it. I am now just waiting for my pharmacist to obtain the Palbociclib.

    So, now I  just have to wait and see if I  have any side effects. I am also taking Letrozole which I  tolerate well.

  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    7 years ago
    @Patti J

    Goodness it's all about timing 
    Excellent to read 
    Best wishes
    Take care 
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    7 years ago
    Wow!  Your Onc was REALLY on the ball and looking afte you well.  That is AWESOME!! 

    take me care and let us know how you go once you start.  xxx
  • Wildplaces's avatar
    Wildplaces
    Member
    7 years ago
    ESMO 2018

    Commenting on the findings for ESMO, Dr Carmen Criscitiello, European Institute of Oncology Milan, Italy, said: “These data were much awaited, as the clinical benefit obtained with CDK 4/6 inhibitors was incontestable, but there was the hot question whether the PFS benefit translates into OS benefit.  This randomised Phase III trial shows for the first time an improvement in OS with a CDK4/6 inhibitor in the metastatic setting for ER+/HER2- breast cancer.”

    https://www.esmo.org/Press-Office/Press-Releases/PALOMA3-breast-cancer-palbociclib-fulvestrant-Cristofanilli

    The data is slowly coming in to show what most of us expected clinically - overall improved survival with CDK4/6, numbers stronger in bone only disease.