Thank you for the article “Cancer drug delays ‘costing lives’” by Sipokazi Fokazi (2 February) highlighting the plight of cancer patients who are unable to afford Revlimid and cannot obtain the generic, says a letter published in the Sunday Times.
“My wife, Gillian, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow) in November 2018 and has undergone aggressive chemotherapy and taken thalidomide for over a year. This path normally leads to an opportunity for stem cell transplant, which promises a number of years’ remission. Unfortunately, my wife’s condition regressed as the cancer spread to the bone. Now her only hope of positive progression is the drug Revlimid.
“We are both retired teachers on the Government Employees Medical Scheme and they refuse to subsidise this drug as it is a ‘total exclusion’ even though I am on the top plan in their scheme. Therefore, I have been compelled to pay R61,706 per month for the supply of this pill. We have spent in excess of R180,000 for three months of treatment, which has made a positive impact in tackling the cancer cells, and her condition has improved noticeably.
We do not have the means to continue this treatment indefinitely and cannot wait a year for the government to approve the generic, which means my wife will almost certainly die a painful death. A generic, Lenalid, is available in India. It costs R1,800 for a month’s supply, but I have been told it is illegal to try to import this drug into South Africa. It is essential that I try to find a way to import this drug for my wife as it is her only hope of survival.”
[link url="https://times-e-editions.pressreader.com/sunday-times-1107/20200216/textview"]Full Sunday Times letter[/link]