Canadian health plans, pharma firm agree on terms to fund costly prostate cancer treatment

An organization representing Canada’s public drug plans has reached a breakthrough deal with a pharmaceutical company regarding a cutting-edge treatment for prostate cancer. This agreement brings hope to hundreds of patients who are one step closer to receiving a potentially life-saving but expensive treatment.

Initially, negotiations between the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) and Novartis for coverage of Pluvicto, a treatment using the radioactive isotope lutetium-177 to kill cancer cells, had broken off in November. However, the two parties reopened discussions and recently signed a letter of intent outlining the terms and conditions for funding the treatment.

The cost of Pluvicto, offered by Novartis at $27,000 per dose, amounts to $135,000 for an average five-dose treatment. While the agreement has been signed, individual provinces will now need to decide whether to provide coverage for eligible prostate cancer patients.

Acting pCPA CEO Dominic Tan confirmed the agreement but did not disclose further details about the negotiations. Novartis Canada president Mark Vineis expressed that this agreement is a significant milestone for patients with advanced prostate cancer in Canada who have exhausted other treatment options. He emphasized that the speed at which the drug can be covered for patients now lies in the hands of the provinces.

Prostate cancer is a prevalent disease in Canada, with about 3,500 British Columbians diagnosed each year and 705 deaths reported in 2021 alone. Pluvicto is one of the first lutetium-177 cancer treatments approved in the country. The treatment involves injecting the isotope intravenously, which disintegrates upon encountering a prostate cancer cell, emitting beta particles that destroy the cell’s nucleus.

Health Canada approved Pluvicto in 2022, making it one of several similar treatments undergoing the drug approval process in Canada. B.C.’s Ministry of Health is currently deliberating whether to add Pluvicto to its list of covered cancer treatments. The process for adding new treatments is thorough, evidence-based, and can be time-consuming, as stated by spokesperson Chiming Chow. The ministry acknowledges that this process can cause stress, including financial strain, on patients and their families during a challenging time.

In conclusion, the agreement between the pCPA and Novartis for Pluvicto coverage marks a significant step forward for prostate cancer patients in Canada. The potential access to this innovative treatment offers hope for those who have exhausted other options, paving the way for improved outcomes in the fight against this disease.