A Mooretown woman is pushing for the province to cover the cost of a drug that without, she says she would be dead.
Denise Wade's battle began in 2017 when she was diagnosed with cancer in her left lung. Since then, the now 70-year-old retiree developed cancer in her right lung and brain. When first diagnosed, Wade underwent chemotherapy and radiation.
She said for the last two years she has been taking a drug, Tagrisso (Osimertinib), that is literally saving her life. However, in November her drug benefit plan will expire.
"My insurance company has been covering my drug Tagrisso, which is $10,000 a month, and I have to take one pill every day," said Wade. "It's been a lifesaver for me. The tumors in my brain are now down to one, it was originally eight, and it's keeping the cancer in my lungs at bay."
Wade said her doctor applied to the government-funded “Exceptional Access Program” to continue covering her monthly prescription cost, but was denied.
"Anyway you look at it, cancer is cancer," she said. "This is a life-saving drug, and I can't believe that I'm going through this in the country that I live in, in the province of Ontario, that we're still going through this."
Wade said her doctor also applied to the manufacturer of Tagrisso, AstraZeneca, to inquire if the company would cover the monthly costs but was once again denied.
She said she is fighting for OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) to cover the costs of expensive life-saving drugs that pharmaceutical companies are keeping out of patients' reach.
"I'm not only fighting for myself, but I'm fighting for people who don't have the luxury of having a private drug plan or benefit plan," said Wade. "They have these life-saving drugs, but so out of reach that they keep dangling it in front of them [patients] but they can't afford it. Not just cancer drugs, I'm talking Insulin and any other life-saving drug out there."
Wade has reached out to Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey's office, however, she said she has not spoken with him directly yet.