National Pharmacare: Expanded Drug Access or Lowest Common Denominator?
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By Aldo Del Col, Co-founder
of Myeloma Canada
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Reflections from our Co-founder
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“The central question is which drugs will get listed on a ‘national formulary’. In other words, how expansive will public drug coverage be in terms of what gets covered? If cost reduction is the driving consideration, then there is a serious risk that millions of Canadians will have their current drug coverage reduced. That is why we need to keep the decision makers focused on the needs of the patient by expanding drug coverage, not limiting it.”
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Velcade is Now Available for the Re-treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma in Ontario
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Myeloma Canada is extremely pleased to announce that as of June 1, 2018, for patients who meet the criteria, Velcade (bortezomib), is now approved and covered in Ontario for the re-treatment of relapsed/refractory myeloma, with or without dexamethasone.
Please refer to the Cancer Care Ontario
website
for further details on the reimbursement criteria for NDFP products.
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This positive funding news can proudly be directly linked back to the hard work and persistence of the Ontario Advocacy Committee led by Martine Elias, Executive Director of Myeloma Canada. Members of this volunteer committee are Nina Rapoport, Norma Linder, Ev McDowell, Leslie Weatherby, Robin Sully, David McMullen, Sofia Tavoularis, Jan Wieugle, Steve Homewood, Bob McCaw, Cindy Leder and Julie Gibbons. The impact of their advocacy efforts is proof that when we work together and make our voices heard, we can have a profound impact on making myeloma matter. On behalf of the community in Ontario, we would like to thank the Ontario Advocacy Committee for helping to significantly improve the lives of those living with myeloma.
Want to get involved in drug policy advocacy in your province? Contact Martine Elias, Executive Director and advocacy expert on how to get started:
melias@myeloma.ca.
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Quebec Funding Announcements:
Kyprolis and Revlimid
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We are pleased to announce as off July 5, 2018, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec has listed Kyprolis in combination with Revlimid (lenalidomide) and dexamethasone or with dexamethasone alone, for patients with multiple myeloma who have received one to three prior lines of treatment.
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We are happy to inform you that Revlimid (lenalidomide) is now available as a first line treatment option for patients who are ineligible for a stem cell transplant. In addition, the indication for reimbursement as a second line treatment has been modified in order to allow access to patients, regardless of Velcade (bortezomib) exposure.
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NEW! Personalized Information Navigation Tool on the Myeloma Canada Website
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Anyone living with myeloma will attest that no two experiences are the same. The types, stages, and symptoms experienced can be very different from one person to the next and can change over time. Recognizing and identifying some of the challenges you may face along the way, Myeloma Canada produced a customizable information navigation tool on the national website which pairs down important information, making it more relatable to experiences you may encounter throughout your journey.
Visit
myeloma.ca
and start your information search by filtering the information using the “I am…” menu on the homepage.
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- European Hematology Association Meeting (EHA)
- The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Meeting
- The Global Myeloma Action Network (GMAN) Summit
- Susan Novis Durie Grant Award Winner
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The Globe and Mail
Emerging treatment options increasing chances for longer life, better outcomes
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“We have new drugs that target myeloma cells, and we have more sophisticated immunotherapies. What is really exciting is our ability to harness the immune system in the fight against the cancer”
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Looking for a Clinical Trial in your Area?
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Try Myeloma Canada’s New Personal Clinical Trial Finder!
- Simple and easy to use
- Set up email notifications to manage alerts on upcoming trials
- Filter your results based on stage of disease, geography, clinical trial phase and more!
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Now Recruiting:
Myeloma Canada Research Network Clinical Trials
Learn more information about innovative and promising MCRN clinical trials that are recruiting in dozens of centres across the country.
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Spotlight on Norma Lindner:
My Meditative Garden
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“I have often said working and sitting in my garden calms my soul and at the same time energizes me. The ponds and wildlife are my saving grace.”
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2
nd
Annual Mangia for Myeloma
in Honour of Guido Vettorello
July 29, 2018
LaSalle, ON
For tickets contact Jane Mayville at 519-816-0871 or Jenny Vettorello Radjenovich at 519-566-0871
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Educational Webinar:
Latest Myeloma Research Updates
from the 2018
European Hematology Association Meeting
July 31, 2018
7:00 PM (EDT)
Join us online from the comfort of your own home!
All you need is a computer, tablet or smart phone
and an internet connection.
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Two-Day Event:
Prince George InfoSession &
Prince George Multiple Myeloma March
August 31 & September 1, 2018
Prince George, BC
For patients, caregivers and
the myeloma community.
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3
rd
Annual Sam’s Monte Carlo Casino Night
October 27, 2018
Montreal, QC
Early bird tickets are now available for purchase!
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6 New Communities are Now Walking the Walk
to Make Myeloma Matter!
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Join one of the 23 communities taking part in the 10
th
anniversary of the Multiple Myeloma March campaign. Register your team today, free of charge, and join our community in making myeloma matter.
Register now for one of the following cities:
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Summer is in full swing! Find out what’s happening in our community:
- Rick McHenry Memorial Golf Tournament in Montreal raised over $12,500!
- Raise Funds by shopping at Thrifty Foods in BC.
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