Big Government.com alerted it readers weeks ago about the emerging model for rationing health care at the FDA. The FDA is considering “de-listing” the drug Avastin for use with breast cancer patients– not because it doesn’t work, but because of its cost.
With a new government health care regime paradigm being established, cost to insurance companies and government health care services will play a critical role in whether patients will have the option of life extending drugs.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance has joined the Avastin fight and is pushing back on behalf of patients.
In a letter to the FDA and congressional lawmakers, OCNA and Komen for the Cure express concern for the impact on patients who are currently benefitting from the drug, concern for the impact on future drug development and cite concerns about fundamental fairness problems with subjective determinations that limit access to treatments.
The groups conclude by saying the decision to use Avastin should be made between a woman and her doctor after a thoughtful conversation that carefully considers its benefits and risks. OCNA believes that women who have the potential to benefit from this drug should have access to it.
Exactly.