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Low platelets? BC PharmaCare is considering reimbursement to people with hepatitis C for REVOLADE™ (eltrombopag olamine), a drug made by Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK). Until now, unless they have 3rd party (private) insurance, patients have had to pay for this drug out-of-pocket. To create a good Patient Group Submission to support this welcome change, HepCBC needs your individual input BEFORE MIDNIGHT Sunday FEBRUARY 15th, 2015.
TO MAKE A SUBMISSION…
Here are the QUESTIONS and INSTRUCTIONS: http://www.hepcbc.bchep.org/questions-bc-pharmacare-revolade/
Here is the BACKGROUND INFORMATION: http://hepcbc.bchep.org/revolade-eltrombopag-background-info/
WHO should make a submission? See below…
REVOLADE™ (Promacta in the USA or “eltrombopag olamine“) by Glaxo Smith Kline, is not the “cure” we have all been focusing on recently. Instead, REVOLADE is used in the treatment of people who are experiencing Thrombocytopenia (low platelets, poor blood clotting), a severe and potentially dangerous symptom of cirrhosis and side effect of hepatitis C treatment. REVOLADE can be also used to help people who have a platelet count that is too low to meet treatment pre-qualifications to prepare and qualify for hepatitis C treatment. This is incredibly important, and every voice we can include makes our submissions better.
We are looking for people (anywhere in Canada) to submit who meet one or more of these criteria…
- have ever suffered (or continue to suffer) from low platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- are in danger of developing low platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- are avoiding treatment out of fear of developing low platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- do not qualify for hepatitis C treatment due to having low platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- were given or are now taking REVOLADE (eltrombopag)
- were given or are now taking another drug for low platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- are or have been a caregiver of someone who meets one or more of the above criteria
- are interested for some other reason in REVOLADE (eltrombopag)
We urge you to think carefully about how being able to afford REVOLADE when one needs it can affect patients’ lives, as well as impact their loved ones.
By giving your input, you can enable doctors to provide some HCV patients the strength to start treatment or to continue treatment. It doesn’t take long, and you or someone you love might benefit from these drugs someday. Thanks!