Tuesday, the provincial government added 10 new medications to its Provincial Pharmacare, including Revlimid, the drug that the Tignish man has been fighting for months to be funded by the province.
The news is a weight of their shoulders, says Marilee Arsenault.
“One must never lose hope, always look forward to tomorrow because it’s a brand new day and anything is possible,” she said told the Journal Pioneer. “Know that dreams do come true and prayers are answered.”
Her husband, Gary, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and primary amyloidosis in July 2012.
“It was that dreaded C word,” said Marilee. “He started chemo that very day. I remember the nurse saying it was a first for her, to find out you have cancer and begin chemo the same day.”
By fall, Gary’s kidneys had failed and he began dialysis.
“It was the first time Gary ever spent the night in a hospital,” recalled Marilee.
He continued with chemo and dialysis and life seemed to be going well.
Gary finished chemo in early spring 2013 and was booked for a stem cell transplant that September. The procedure was done in Halifax, where they stayed five weeks.
Then, in January, another biopsy was done.
“That’s when he found out that the chemo or the transplant didn’t work,” said Marilee.
Revlimid was talked about as a treatment, a very expensive drug the couple couldn’t afford and wasn’t covered by the province. The drug can cost upwards of $10,000 a month for patients
“I started phoning a few people that was suggested to me to see if it was going to be covered, to see if the drug company gave it on compassion or if the Catastrophic Drug Plan would cover it,” said Marilee.
That was in April. Calls were made to Health Minister Doug Currie and Marilee reached out to a group that was fighting for the drug to be covered.
Their doctor wanted Gary to try an experimental drug, which would have meant the couple would have had to move to Halifax.
Family started a Facebook group called Fight For Life For Gary Arsenault, telling of their plight and aimed at putting pressure on government.
Monday, the Arsenaults got word that an announcement regarding coverage of the drug might soon be made.
“To have Revlimid covered would mean life after multiple myeloma,” said Marilee. “It gives hope instead of hopelessness.”
Health Minister Doug Currie announced in the legislature late Tuesday afternoon that the drug and nine others would be added to the province’s various drug programs at a cost of $1.1 million.
There are various cancer drugs included and also drugs to manage diabetes.
“People who are dealing with a serious illness shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can afford approved treatments,” said Currie. “Our government is committed to helping Islanders access the medication they need.”
It was the P.E.I. Provincial Drugs and Therapeutics Committee that recommended the drugs that were added to the provincial formulary Tuesday.
Coverage of these drugs, for those who meet the criteria, will be immediate.
Patients must meet both the clinical and program criteria to be
eligible for coverage of all the drugs above.
“Where love lives many things are possible and never stop believing,” said Marilee. “Tomorrow is brand new and we’ll ride high on hope.”
Added to High Cost Drug Program and Catastrophic Drug Program
— Revlimid for the treatment of multiple myeloma
— Revlimid for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome
Added to Family Health Benefit, Financial Assistance, Seniors, Nursing and
Catastrophic drug programs:
— Fragmin for treatment of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
— Innohep for treatment of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
— Lovenox for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
— Ondissolve ODF for prevention of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients.
— Pregabalin for management of neuropathic pain.
— Tudorza Genuair for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
— VFEND for treatment of invasive aspergillosis (fungal infection).
— VFEND for treatment of candidemia (fungal infection in the blood).
Added to the Diabetes Control, Financial Assistance, Nursing Home and Catastrophic drug programs:
— Lantus for treatment of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
— Levemir for treatment type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
