Cost of Tarceva

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How are all of you affording the cost of Tarceva? My mother was just prescribed Tarceva. She is 89 years old and on a limited income. After the insurance pays 1/3 the cost of Tarceva, she will have to pay $2,400.00 out of pocket for a 30 day supply. She can't afford this.

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Oncrx

Take a look at Genetechs patiebt access program. http://www.gene.com/gene/products/access/index.jsp

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Msedsel

Thank you for the link to Genetech. I have called them. I was told to wait and see what New York State's EPIC program will do. I am not optimistic the EPIC program will cover Tarceva. Does any insurance cover Tarceva enough to make it affordable? I have read posts from people who are on the drug for many months. At $2,400.00 a month one would have to be rich to afford it. We are not even sure Tarceva will help my Mom. We would like to know if it will help before I take out a second morgage on my home. Bobbie

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Ernie_2

My insurance covered my Tarceva. I have United Healthcare. I have been checking because I may have to go to Medicare and Rx D plan. There are some of these plans that cover Tarceva. Ernie

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Debbie41

Is your mom on Medicare? My mom went through a similar situation when she was first prescribed Tarceva. The medicare plan she was on at the time only covered a small percentage and we didn't know how we were going to cover the rest. I looked into changing her plan, called Medicare and had no trouble changing to a new plan the covered most of the cost. She only pays $60.00 a month now and she has since been reimbursed (from the drug company) for the first month's supply that she had to pay $900.00 for. Unfortunately for her, the Tarceva has stopped working. She currently still takes it in conjunction with Alimta (another more tolerable chemotherapy)and is doing OK. Although Tarceva didn't work for as long as we had hoped, it gave her time to do and see things that she had little hope of doing before being on this drug. Best of luck to you and God bless.

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Msedsel

Thank you for your replies. I got my Mom on New York State's EPIC plan. She has received her Tarceva and it only cost her $20.00 for a 30 days supply. The doctor wants her to start taking Tarceva after Thanksgiving in case there are any concerns and he can't be reached due to the holiday. She is getting more and more fatigued. She is starting to shake more. She should start on the pills this coming Monday. She had a baseline CAT scan today and was just barely able to make her appointment. I have to take her in a wheelchair to the appointment because she is so weak and unbalanced. I pray the Tarceva works and makes her feel better and stronger.

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Rajiv

hello, my mom was diagnoised with lung cancer 6 months back. She has finished 5 cycles of chemo treatment consisting of Carboplatin/gemcite. We are unable to give further chemo treatments becasue of her low blood counts. Under this conditions, i am exloring the usage of Terceva for her. But it seems to be very costly. We are uanable to afford for such high cost for treatment. Moreover in India , we dont have insurance which cover diseases like this . I would be glad if you could guide me , as to how to procure Terceva from some cherity or any type of NGO or any type of social instituation . Hoping to hear from you Rajiv

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Vette

I have been on Tarceva for 13 months, have had the rash and dry mouth. A mouth wash with out alcohol is the best. Also I found it best to take the Tarceva in the evening after my meal. You must wait 2 hours, empty stomach, the pill can make you tired. Also, diarrhea is a side effect that I have, and I take Lomotil, 2 pills three times a day. It really works, take them right before you eat. I am a female, non-smoker, had non-small cell and squamous cell both in the same lobe of the lung! Best of luck, you MUST keep a positive attitude. Let us know how your mother does. She is in my prayers Vette

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Msedsel

I would contact Genentech, the company that makes Tarceva. They have programs if you do not have coverage. http://www.gene.com/gene/products/access/index.jsp I hope you can connect with the above link. You might want to consider contacting the Cancer Society. Do you have one in India?

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Msedsel

Thank you for your prayers. Mom just had her third dose this morning. She has a rash on her neck that I did not see before. She is experiencing cramping pains in her bowels and is nauseous. She vomited a little bit. She is extremely fatigued. I have been giving her the Tarceva in the morning. I will change to the evening two hours after dinner.

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