Caprelsa is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic or progressive medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease. An application for this drug was put forward to pCODR earlier this year and the outcome was a positive recommendation. Negotiations with pCPA began in June 2017 and unfortunately negotiations closed without a resolution. This means that the drug currently is not listed on provincial drug plans and therefore not accessible to patients without private insurance coverage, unless the patient can pay for the drug out of pocket. The manufacturer continues to work diligently to negotiate with individual provinces and hopefully Caprelsa will be listed soon.
For any MTC patients who need access to Caprelsa but are facing challenges due to financial limitations please contact Jackie.herman@cnetscanada.org.