Erbitux Will Not Be Available In Canada

Erbitux will not be marketed in Canada because of disagreements between the pharmaceutical distributor and the Canadian agency responsible for setting drug prices. Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada has decided not to launch Erbitux- in Canada because it cannot agree on a price with the Patented Medicines Prices Review Board.

Use of Erbitux to treat colorectal cancer was approved by Health Canada in September of 2005.

The province of Ontario has approved payment for therapy with Erbitux- in the United States for some patients, as per the June 19, 2006 Globe and Mail.

The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada has spoken out on the lack of access to drugs to treat colorectal cancer in Canada. Drugs, such as Avastin, Erbitux, and Eloxatin have been approved by Health Canada but are not uniformly available across the nation because each province can choose whether or not to pay for the therapys. In some provinces, patients can have the drugs administered if they pay the cost of the medicines themselves.

Thank you Judi



Posted by: Sue    Source