REGINA - Colorectal cancer patients in Saskatchewan welcomed news Wednesday that the province will cover the cost of an expensive drug that may extend a person's life by several months.
The provincial government said it will pick up the tab for Avastin. "It's been a long hard fight," said cancer patient Keith Whyte, who calls himself "Old Man Keimo" - a nickname that combines his first name and the word "chemo."
"It's been over a year now since I've had Avastin. I just simply ran out of finances."
The drug has been available to patients in Saskatchewan, but only if they paid for it out of their own pockets. Whyte had spent more than $30,000 to get Avastin.
Avastin is not a cure for advanced colon and rectal cancer. However, studies have suggested that it can be effective when used with other chemotherapy.
But it's expensive - about $35,000 a year per patient.
Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and British Columbia already fund Avastin. Other provinces, including Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan's previous NDP government, refused to cover the drug.
The new Saskatchewan Party government said it will now cover expenses for about 80 patients annually at a cost of about $4 million.
"I hope that in some way today's commitment on Avastin will help families better cope with what I just simply can't fathom," Premier Brad Wall said at the funding announcement.
"Those of us whose family is healthy, those of us who are healthy ourselves, we just can't fathom what you're going through."
