Breast cancer patient paying $1K a month for vital drug asks Manitoba for help

Abreast cancer patient says she shouldn't be paying out of pocket for a drug she needs in order tolive.

Jennette Heinrichs is calling on the Manitobagovernment to pay her prescription ofFulvestrant, a drug her oncologist says she needs to fightStage 4 breast cancer.

She says she's beenpaying $1,000 amonth for theprescription. It is not among the drugscovered by Manitoba's Pharmacare program.

"It's already so stressful to know that thecancerhas come back and that you have to battle it all over again but then to add the financial burden as well,it's unbelievable," Heinrichs, 42, told CBCManitoba's Radio Noonon Wednesday.

$7,000 in drug costs

Fulvestranthelps to suppressestrogen, the hormoneher diseasefeeds on, saysHeinrichs, who has been fighting breast cancer since 2011.

She says the drug was covered by a pharmaceutical company until last year, when the firm changed course. The prescription has never been covered by Pharmacare in Manitoba.

She has needed the drugsince February and says she's spent $7,000 sofar.

It's crazy to think that peoplehave to find the money have to find $1,000 a monthto be treated for their cancer Jennette Heinrichs

"I think about the women that can't afford it. I mean, thiscreates a two-tier health care system, where some people won't be able to afford theircancertreatment and that's just fundamentally wrong."

After a treatment on Thursday morning, Heinrichssaid it appears she will be prescribed a new drug, sinceFulvestrantisn't working her.

Heinrichs is onlong-term disability fromher position as a technical advisor inthe University of Manitoba film studies program.

Manitoba Liberals took up Heinrichs's case and demandedthe province cover the price of the cancer treatment drug.

Patients choosing between life and bankruptcy

"We don't thinkanybody should have to choose between a life-saving medication and bankruptcy," said Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont. "We don't think anybody should have to choose between medication and food or shelter."

He also said the federal government should move ahead with anationalpharmacareplan to reduce the costs of expensive prescriptions.

Heinrichstold the Liberals that provincial officials have explained the drug is ona list of medications the province wants to cover, but no timeline has been provided. She's askingfor interim financial support at the very least.

"It's crazy to think that peoplehave to find the money have to find $1,000 a monthto be treated for their cancer," she said.

Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen said "efforts are underway" to try and get the drug, and other prescriptions,covered, but he wouldn't elaborate because he didn't want to endanger the province's ongoing negotiations with pharmaceutical companies.

He saidfewer than 100 people currently want to take the medication in Manitoba.

The pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review recommended last year that governments consider reimbursing patients who useFulvestrant, provided the cost of the drug falls.

It notes only a small number of patients need the remedy.