Cancer drug price probe welcomed
KWAZULU-Natal cancer patients say the Competition Commission’s probe into pharmaceutical giants’ alleged excessive pricing of cancer saving drugs was “long overdue”.
The Competition Commission announced this week that it is investigating Roche, Pfizer and Aspen on allegations that the pharmaceutical giants have been hiking the prices of – in some instances, lifesaving – cancer medicines.
Cancer survivors, who spoke to The Mercury yesterday, said while they were fortunate that medical aid had covered their medication costs, the pricing made it unaffordable for people without medical aid.
Colleen Bruce, a breast cancer patient of nearly 15 years, said she was heartened by the decision to probe the high prices of some cancer drugs.
“I have been on Herceptin, manufactured by Roche, on and off since 2009. I feel extremely fortunate to have had this incredibly expensive drug and have always thought of the many women who would not have access to it. I am grateful that my medical aid has made several ex gratia payments (made out of moral obligation rather than because of any legal requirement) to cover the costs.”
She said she was on the top level of her medical aid, which provided good oncology benefits, but was still not nearly enough for the course of Herceptin.
In a media statement, the Competition Commission said its investigation into Roche Holding AG related to Trastuzumab – a lifesaving breast cancer medicine that is recommended as “essential medicine” by the World Health Organisation.
“The commission has reason to believe that Roche and its US-based biotechnology company, Genentech Inc, have and continue to engage in excessive pricing, price discrimination and/or exclusionary conduct in the provision of breast cancer medicine in South Africa,” it said.
Treatment
But in South Africa, it said, only Roche’s branded version was available and in the private sector, a 12-month course cost R500000 or more.
It said Roche might be delaying and/or preventing the entry of generic alternatives.
In respect of Pfizer, the commission said, it was investigating lung cancer medication called xalkori crizotinib.
“Pfizer is the only provider of xalkori crizotinib in the country,” it said.
Again it said that, as per its information, lung cancer treatment was unaffordable in South Africa.
“And medical aid schemes refuse to pay for the treatment,” it said.
The commission was also investigating Aspen for “suspected abuse of dominance” and its alleged excessive pricing of Leukeran, for leukaemia and lymphoma; Alkeran, for bone marrow and ovarian cancers; and Myleran, for leukaemias, lymphomas and myeloproliferative disorders.
“Aspen is currently under investigation by competition authorities in various European countries for alleged excessive pricing on, among other products, Leukeran, Alkeran and Myleran,” the commission said.
It said the Italian Competition Authority recently found Aspen had abused its dominant position regarding the price of four cancer drugs.
The national advocacy co-ordinator for the Cancer Association of South Africa, Lorraine Govender, said the organisation had advocated for the reform of South Africa’s outdated patent laws.
“We have called on the government to take whatever steps are required to ensure that no more women in South Africa die because they cannot access trastuzumab. To ensure that South Africa’s patent laws are reformed in such a way as to make it easier for the government and the public to intervene in cases of unconscionable profiteering such as is currently the case with trastuzumab.”
Renika Ramparsad of Ladysmith – who was diagnosed in 2016 and is now in remission – also welcomed the investigation.
“I have been fortunate that my treatment has been covered by my medical aid, but what about women not on medical aid? These drugs should be freely available, as they are for HIV and TB.”