How Can I Get My Father Onto Nexavar?

Hello,

My father has liver cancer,  and I have read some good things about Nexavar. The main problem is the cost. My father has insurance and Medicare, but I presume that because Nexavar has not received official approval from the FDA for liver cancer, that he will not be able to use insurance for the medication? Where can we obtain the drug at the best price possible?

What is the soonest that the FDA will grant approval?

I have heard of programs that would allow patients free access to Nexaver. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction as to particular programs?

Thanks,

Keith L. 

On 6/4/2007 Keithl wrote:

Hello,

My father has liver cancer,  and I have read some good things about Nexavar. The main problem is the cost. My father has insurance and Medicare, but I presume that because Nexavar has not received official approval from the FDA for liver cancer, that he will not be able to use insurance for the medication? Where can we obtain the drug at the best price possible?

What is the soonest that the FDA will grant approval?

I have heard of programs that would allow patients free access to Nexaver. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction as to particular programs?

Thanks,

Keith L. 

 

A spokesperson for Onyx/Bayer said the company expected FDA approval of nexavar for treatment of HCC to occur in early 2008.  You might also contact Bayer about getting the medication at no cost but it might be difficult since it is currently no FDA approved for liver cancer.

I hope you find a way to get and fund this therapy for your father.  Athena

Hi Keith,

My husband has fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma and is being treated at Univ. of Michigan.  His physicians there did the initial resection and when it came back after 4 months he did 7 weeks of chemo and radiation.  Half way through treatment they decided to put him on Nexavar also as a adjunct therapy.  They were able to get the prior-authorization approved in a couple days and then we were slapped with a $2,000 copay!  We applied shortly thereafter for the REACH program through the drug company that makes Nexavar and were approved for 95% assistance of the copay.  So now we're only paying $49 a month for the maximum dose, 800 mg a day.  Here is the info for the program: http://www.nexavar.com/wt/page/reimbursement

I hope this helps you out, good luck with obtaining Nexavar.  My husband tolerates it well enough, only a little soreness on the bottom of his feet. 

Aimee

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this information! Although we previously found and downloaded the necessary forms, your posting will be of great benefit to others (and has provided us with more hope!).

 Thanks again.

On 7/6/2007 Weadocm wrote:

If you are looking for advice, help or guidance on any liver cancer item, i encourage you to contact Dr. David Geller at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center...he is amazing and has been a lifesaver for my dad. He'll communicate via email, phone or fax...he's helped many I've sent his way...tell him Michelle from Ohio sent you. He is truly an angel on earth!

Hello Michelle from Ohio,

Would you please forward me Dr. Geller's email address?  Thanks!

On 6/4/2007 Keithl wrote:

Hello,

My father has liver cancer,  and I have read some good things about Nexavar. The main problem is the cost. My father has insurance and Medicare, but I presume that because Nexavar has not received official approval from the FDA for liver cancer, that he will not be able to use insurance for the medication? Where can we obtain the drug at the best price possible?

What is the soonest that the FDA will grant approval?

I have heard of programs that would allow patients free access to Nexaver. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction as to particular programs?

Thanks,

Keith L. 

 

      Hello Keith,

My dad has liver cancer too, and he received Nexavar just 3 days after Onyx/Bayer announced the good result of clinical trial (06/04/07).  I got prescription on 06/05/07 from his Doctor (my dad has Medicare like yours), and dropped it off at Wal Green in California.  By Thursday 06/07/07, Wal Green Specialty from PA overnighted Nexavar over, and my dad has been on it since then.  You don't have to wait for FDA to approve Nexavar for liver cancer, because it was approved in 12/2005 for kidney cancer.  Doctors have to right to prescribe any chemo if they believe it can be used for other cancer.  Please check with your doctor, good luck and God bless you!

http://www.livercancercenter.upmc.com/

University of Pittsburgh Physicians
Division of Transplant Surgery

Office Address(es):
UPMC Liver Cancer Center
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-692-2001
Map

UPMC Liver Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant
9100 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: 412-367-6454
Map

Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Inst.
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
**** THIS IS THE ONE WE USE: Phone: 412-692-2001

Best of luck!

http://www.livercancercenter.upmc.com/

University of Pittsburgh Physicians
Division of Transplant Surgery

Office Address(es):
UPMC Liver Cancer Center
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-692-2001
Map

UPMC Liver Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant
9100 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: 412-367-6454
Map

Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Inst.
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
**** THIS IS THE ONE WE USE: Phone: 412-692-2001

Best of luck!

http://www.livercancercenter.upmc.com/

University of Pittsburgh Physicians
Division of Transplant Surgery

Office Address(es):
UPMC Liver Cancer Center
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-692-2001
Map

UPMC Liver Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant
9100 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: 412-367-6454
Map

Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Inst.
3459 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
**** THIS IS THE ONE WE USE: Phone: 412-692-2001

Best of luck!