1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Cancer drug cost in Ontario, Canada

Posted by waiting84 @waiting84, Sep 28, 2023

Hi,
I have been a member for few months but had not posted anything. But this forum has given me lot of information. I thank everyone who is taking their time to help each other.

So I'm in Ontario, Canada. My wife is a stage 4 pancreatic cancer patient. She went 12 Rounds of FOLFIRINOX. Now the oncologist wants to start Gemcitabine + Abraxane. We were told that Abraxane is not fully covered by the provincial drug plan. Anyone is on Abraxane and getting treatment in Ontario.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Pancreatic Cancer Support Group.

ncteacher | @ncteacher | Oct 6, 2023
In reply to @waiting84 "So it turns out Abraxane is publicly funded when it's used as first line treatment. Since..." + (show)
@waiting84

So it turns out Abraxane is publicly funded when it's used as first line treatment. Since my wife already had FOLFIRINOX she is not eligible.

However there is something called 'Abraxane Access Program' where it covers 60%. We enrolled in this program.

Her first treatment is today. She is also getting a drain for her ascites. She is in agony, cannot eat anything but fluids.

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I'm glad you were able to get some funding assistance for the Abraxane. Hopefully your wife feels some relief after today's therapies. Good luck!

REPLY
RM | @mmerry | Oct 6, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "@waiting84, also check to see if the drug cost is covered by the hospital's drug formulary..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@waiting84, also check to see if the drug cost is covered by the hospital's drug formulary since it will be administered in the hospital. I believe @krfinlayson @mmerry are pancreatic cancer members who are also Ontario residents.

You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Anyone on Gemcitabine with Abraxane? How long? Effective?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gemcitabine-and-abraxane/
@waiting84 how are you and your wife doing?

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Hi there. I was tagged in this thread because I live in Ontario and have a PNet. I am sorry but I have no experience on that drug being covered in Ontario. So sorry could not have been more help . Must be a 1 800 number for Ontario Health to buzz on this or the Ontario Health Ombudsman.

REPLY
krfinlayson | @krfinlayson | Oct 6, 2023

I had a slight delay in treatment while the hospital obtained funding for the chemo. My understanding is manything administered in hospital is covered. That may also apply to home care. I had folfirinox first then upon recurrence, started in gem/abraxane combo. Good luck to you!

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 18, 2023
In reply to @waiting84 "So it turns out Abraxane is publicly funded when it's used as first line treatment. Since..." + (show)
@waiting84

So it turns out Abraxane is publicly funded when it's used as first line treatment. Since my wife already had FOLFIRINOX she is not eligible.

However there is something called 'Abraxane Access Program' where it covers 60%. We enrolled in this program.

Her first treatment is today. She is also getting a drain for her ascites. She is in agony, cannot eat anything but fluids.

Jump to this post

How is your wife doing, @waiting84?

REPLY
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