Posted 16 May 2017 - 01:59 PM
Navigating the Costs of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Glimpse Into the Future
Clinical guidelines recommend that all patients diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) immediately be treated with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). And, since the introduction of imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) in 2001, those with CML now can largely live a normal lifespan, with one caveat: they must be able to pay for the drug.
Hagop M. Kantarjian, MD, professor and chairman of the department of leukemia at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, long a critic of the high prices of cancer drugs, told Cancer Therapy Advisor he believes 25% to 30% of patients cannot afford imatinib. He also doubts introduction of generic imatinib will ease the cost burden.
Read more: http://bit.ly/2rnSZMo
The above article was published on February 17, 2017 .. generic imatinib mesylate is now priced at roughly $2,000/mo. through Express Scripts using Walmart.
For the benefit of yourself and others please add your CML history into your Signature
02/2010 Gleevec 400mg
2011 Two weakly positives, PCRU, weakly positive
2012 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU
2013 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, weakly positive
2014 PCRU, PCRU, PCRU, PCRU (12/07 began dose reduction w/each continuing PCRU)
2015 300, 250, 200, 150
2016 100, 50/100, 100, 10/17 TFR
2017 01/17 TFR, 04/18 TFR, 07/18 TFR 0.0012, 08/29 TFR 0.001, 10/17 TFR 0.000
2018 01/16 TFR 0.0004 ... next quarterly PCR 04/17
At the earliest opportunity, and whenever possible, lower your TKI dosage; TKIs are toxic drugs and the less we take longterm the better off we are going to be ... this is especially true for older adults.
In hindsight I should have started my dosage reduction two years earlier; it might have helped minimize some of the longterm cumulative toxic effects of TKIs that I am beset with.
longterm side-effects Peripheral Artery Disease - legs (it's a bitch); continuing shoulder problems, right elbow inflammation. GFR and creatinine vastly improved after stopping Gleevec.
Cumulative Gleevec dosage estimated at 830 grams
Taking Gleevec 400mg an hour after my largest meal of the day helped eliminate the nausea that Gleevec is notorious for.
Trey's CML Blog - Stopping - The Odds - Stop Studies - Discussion Forum Cessation Study
Big PhRMA - Medicare Status - Social Security Status - Deficit/Debt