PROVINCE WILL NOT COVER AVASTIN COSTS

The Saskatchewan government will not provide funding for Avastin, a new cancer drug for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

No jurisdiction in Canada has announced funding for Avastin, with the exception of an interim funding arrangement by the British Columbia Cancer Agency, pending a decision from its provincial government.

Health Minister Len Taylor said that all available information about the drug was carefully assessed, so that an informed and appropriate decision could be made.

"We work hard to balance compassionate government with responsible government," Taylor said. "We know this is difficult news for patients and their families seeking additional treatment avenues, but the benefits of a drug relative to its cost must be a factor in these decisions.

"With many new and costly cancer drugs becoming available, we simply cannot make the automatic choice to fund each one of them," Taylor said.

Taylor added that the Government of Saskatchewan remains committed to excellence in cancer care, and will continue to provide the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency with significant funding.

This year, the Agency received a 15 per cent funding increase and is spending more than $25 million on drug therapies alone. Adding Avastin to the list of publicly funded treatments would increase the Agency's drug budget by $5.9 million, or 23 per cent.

Avastin is not considered a cure, but may extend by a number of months, the life of a patient with advanced colorectal cancer. Avastin costs approximately $2,000 per dose, or about $36,000 per patient.

Saskatchewan Health is looking at ways to make cancer drug approvals more efficient and co-ordinated. Taylor said that as more drugs continue to be introduced into the market, there is an increasing need for a national strategy on how they are funded and used.

The western provinces have discussed working toward a common approach to evaluation and coverage of new and costly cancer drugs.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Jocelyn Argue Health Regina Phone: (306) 787-4083