The National Institute of Excellence in Health and Social Services (INESSS) has recommended limiting reimbursement access for ribociclib tablets, known as Kisqali, a medication used in the treatment of early breast cancer. Ribociclib works by targeting specific proteins to slow cancer cell growth and replication.
INESSS advised the Minister of Health to consider restricting reimbursement to patients with early-stage cancer at high risk of recurrence, such as those with extensive lymph node involvement or specific tumor characteristics. The Minister will need to make a decision regarding this recommendation.
Dr. Nathaniel Bouganim, an oncologist, expressed concerns about restricted access, highlighting the importance of providing treatment options for all patients at risk. He noted that another medication, abemaciclib, is also effective in preventing breast cancer recurrence and may be a viable alternative.
While ribociclib’s cost is noted to be slightly lower than abemaciclib, the longer treatment duration may result in increased follow-up costs. Dr. Bouganim emphasized the significance of considering patient tolerance and potential side effects when evaluating treatment options.
Overall, the goal is to provide diverse medication choices to reduce relapses for women at risk of breast cancer recurrence. The approval of Kisqali in Canada has expanded to include prevention of recurrence for certain breast cancer types, aiming to improve outcomes for patients.
Keyphrase: breast cancer treatment
