Province expands drug program for patients with retinal issues

A program dedicated to preventing vision loss in Albertans was expanded this week with the addition of a no-cost treatment option.

Two years ago, the province launched the Retina Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Program for Intraocular Disease, or RAPID, which is a drug access program that provides patients who have retinal conditions, such as macular degeneration, two treatment options to preserve or improve vision.

Now, there will be a third. Rebecca Bailer has seen the benefits of the program first-hand.

Bailer learned at age 13 she had diabetes and later developed vision problems. She’s been getting injections in her eye to preserve her vision for the past seven years.

“This program is very important,” said Bailer. “If I did not have coverage, it would cost me roughly $1,000 every six weeks, which is a lot of money for somebody who’s on a fixed income or has no benefits.”

The two drugs offered in the original program were Lucentis, which costs about $1,000 per injection, and Avastin, which costs about $50 per injection. The latest option is Eylea, which would normally cost patients about $1,000.

Through the program, all clients will receive treatment free.

“Adding this drug provides patients and their physicians with another treatment option supporting those who cannot use either Avastin or Lucentis,” said Alberta Health Minister Sarah Hoffman.

“This program has demonstrated that by using evidence to guide our decisions and by listening to patients, as well as their clinicians, we can give Albertans better health care and protect their pocket books at the same time,” said Hoffman.

Prior to the launch of RAPID, about 8,000 Albertans received these treatments. Since its inception, the number has grown to more than 14,000 people — saving over $3.4 million in out-of-pocket copayments.

Before the program, patients under 65 had no coverage, said physician Amin Kherani of Calgary Retina Consultants.

Kherani said one of the major benefits of the program is choice, which is important when Avastin, for example, doesn’t show results in a patient.

The program has saved taxpayers $20 million so far.