TORONTO, July 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Ontario has become the second province,
after British Columbia, to approve funding for Revlimid(R) (or lenalidomide)
in combination with dexamethasone as second-line therapy for the treatment of
the blood cancer multiple myeloma.
In October 2008, Health Canada approved Revlimid in combination with
dexamethasone for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients who have received
at least one other treatment regimen. Prior to the drug's approval, there were
few effective, once-daily oral treatment options for patients with this
aggressive blood cancer. Following the Health Canada approval, the Joint
Oncology Drug Review (JODR) and other provincial funding authorities undertook
a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of Revlimid, ultimately
leading to the positive funding decision by the Ontario government.
Outside of British Columbia and Ontario, numerous Canadian myeloma
patients who require Revlimid but do not have private drug insurance are
awaiting funding decisions from their respective provinces. Myeloma Canada,
therefore, urges decision makers in these provinces to follow the lead set by
British Columbia and Ontario in providing funding for Revlimid, immediately.
According to John Lemieux, President of Myeloma Canada, "Denying public
funding for a critical drug like Revlimid effectively blocks patient access to
a combination treatment of Revlimid and dexamethasone that has been proven
effective against multiple myeloma. Denying access to this life-extending
treatment affects patients' quality of life and life expectancy. For many, it
will mean that, in the absence of other treatment alternatives, they will die
sooner than would otherwise be the case. It is an unacceptable roadblock on
the path to moving multiple myeloma from a fatal, incurable cancer to one that
is treatable and survivable."
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, is an incurable but
treatable disease. The cancer starts in plasma cells, which are produced in
the bone marrow. In myeloma, abnormal plasma cells, called myeloma cells, grow
uncontrollably, crowding out the normal blood cells in the bone. This can
bring on symptoms such as fatigue, recurrent infections and severe pain
resulting from bone fractures. The disease disturbs the body's balance of
minerals and prevents organs, such as the kidney, as well as nerves, from
functioning properly. In Canada, approximately 2,000 people are diagnosed with
multiple myeloma every year.
About Myeloma Canada
Myeloma Canada, the only national organization exclusively devoted to the
Canadian myeloma community, is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated
to supporting people living with multiple myeloma. The mission of Myeloma
Canada is to: provide educational resources and support to patients, families,
and caregivers; increase awareness of the disease; and promote improved access
to new therapies, treatment options, and health care resources. Myeloma Canada
works with regional support groups and key myeloma experts to strengthen the
voice of the Canadian myeloma community. Myeloma Canada works in close
affiliation with the International Myeloma Foundation, the world's oldest and
largest myeloma organization. For more information or to find out how you can
help please visit our website at www.myelomacanada.ca.
For further information: Charles Pitts, 877 990 9044
