Hi The Real Singapore,
My mom was diagnosed with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma at Raffles Hospital on 4 Feb 2014 and was referred to the National Cancer Centre for follow up treatment. A biopsy test conducted on that date showed that she was suitable for treatment with the new oral drug afatinib. In fact, due to my mom’s age (she is 84 years old) she is not recommended for traditional chemotherapy or radiation treatment and the only prescription for her cancer treatment was afatinib. A supply was given to her upon her discharge at Raffles Hospital on 4 Feb 2014 which was just sufficient until her next appointment at National Cancer Centre on 10 Feb 2014.
At the National Cancer Centre, my mom was attended to by Dr Tan Eng Huat who prescribed a 7 week supply of afatanib for my mom’s continuing treatment for her cancer. Imagine my father’s and my surprise therefore that when we went to the pharmacy, we were informed that there was no supply of afatanib to be dispensed and that in fact there was no supply nationwide.
In our frenzy, we called Dr Donald Poon of Raffles Hospital who, in a gesture of great generosity and magnanimity, prescribed a compassionate supply of 10 afatanib tablets, which will last only until 19 February 2014.
I am extremely disturbed that in our so-called world class health system, a crucial drug like afatinib is not adequately stocked, or indeed stocked at all, at our national cancer institute. One shudders to think what would have happened to my mom if she had not had the good fortune of being previously treated at Raffles Hospital. We are also not sure where to get further supplies of afatanib when the current supply of 10 tablets runs out on 19 February 2014. If fresh supplies of afatinib are not forthcoming, my mom’s recovery from her cancer will be put in jeopardy.
I am also certain that my mom is not the only person suffering from the type of adenocarcinoma which is particularly suited for afatinib therapy.
The other issue I wish to raise is the cost of afatinib and the lack of subsidy for it. I was informed that a month’s supply of afatinib will cost around $4,500.00 and that the drug is not subsidised by the government. I wish to enquire why such an important drug is not deemed suitable by the Government for a subsidy.
Vernon
TRS Contributor