The federal government’s plan to push patented drug prices lower continues to meet with controversy. The changes to the regulations governing the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) have aroused criticism from patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry, which are concerned that the changes will result in fewer life-saving drugs being available in Canada. Rather than being open to dissenting voices and facilitating a constructive
Category: Treatment Updates
Health technology assessment agency gives recommendation for OPDIVO to treat non-small cell lung cancer
OPDIVO™ is the first immuno-oncology therapy for lung cancer in Canada to use the body's own immune system to fight cancer MONTREAL, June 8, 2016 /CNW/ – Canada's national health technology assessment body (CADTH) today made its final, positive recommendation for OPDIVO™ (nivolumab) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a reflection of the strong clinical evidence that supports the benefits of this immuno-oncology treatment of adult patients
Positive Lung Cancer pCODR recommandation for Opdivo
Hot from the press, BMS just received the final pCODR recommendation for Opdivo in lung cancer. PERC has maintained its initial recommendation with no change. This is an excellent news for the patients. See the information on pCODR website. Have a great Friday afternoon and a good ASCO Louise! Sabrina https://www.cadth.ca/opdivo-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-details
New Cancer Immunotherapy Indication for Canadian Patients with Untreated Metastatic Melanoma
KIRKLAND, QC, May 31, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ – Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside Canada and the United States, announced today that KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) received approval for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who have not received prior treatment with ipilimumab. KEYTRUDA is now the first and only anti-PD1 agent approved for first-line treatment regardless of BRAF mutation status. "We are excited to share this announcement with
Ask an Expert: Febrile Neutropenia Explained
Introduction: Febrile neutropenia, or FN, is a common and potentially serious side effect of chemotherapy treatment. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell responsible for helping fight germs and infections. Neutropenia means that there are fewer neutrophils than normal in your blood and many people with lymphoma have neutropenia at some point during treatment[i]. Febrile neutropenia means that you have a fever AND a
Health Canada approves OPDIVO? (nivolumab) for the treatment of advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer
OPDIVO™ is the first and only immuno-oncology therapy in lung cancer in Canada, which uses the body's own immune system to fight cancer, offering improved survival to more patients MONTREAL, March 1, 2016 /CNW/ – Health Canada has approved OPDIVO™ (nivolumab) injection, the first and only immuno-oncology therapy (anti PD-1 agent) approved in Canada for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic