CANCER TREATMENT

Mr. Gerry Martiniuk: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Minister, I wrote you on November 5, 2009, regarding my senior Cambridge constituent whom you have refused to supply a drug that has delayed the progression of her cancer. You have refused to answer that urgent letter.

As both my constituent's kidneys have been removed, she obtains dialysis in Kitchener after taking the public bus three times a week, her husband being unable to drive her as he works full-time to support them.

Can the minister explain how this government could deny my constituent coverage for a chemotherapy drug that for three years has been improving her quality of life, especially now that you have finally relented on the drug Avastin?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I think it's important to say that we are committed to the most excellent health care for people in Ontario. We are expanding the range of drugs that are available to Ontarians. This weekend I was very happy to announce that we are going to be able to lift the cap on coverage for Avastin.

In the case of the constituent, I think it's important to acknowledge that our coverage is not a political decision; it is not the politicians who decide what drugs are covered, nor should it be. We have set up an independent committee to evaluate drugs. It is that committee that was able to negotiate a better price that has allowed us to expand coverage of Avastin. That Committee to Evaluate Drugs-
The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Gerry Martiniuk: No, Minister, you cannot hide behind a nameless bureaucrat. Minister, the chemotherapy drug in question, Nexavar, costs approximately $3,200 a month, and has been paid for by a private plan for three years but is now maxed out. My constituent cannot afford the drug and has been forced to stop taking it. Will the minister explain why a private plan has provided coverage for three years while you, on behalf of this government, refuse coverage completely? Why have you condemned my constituent?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Of course, private plans insure services that are not covered by the public system. That is the nature of private plans. That is why people buy private plans.

We take our responsibility to patients very seriously. We also take our responsibility to taxpayers very seriously. The Committee to Evaluate Drugs has been charged with the very difficult responsibility of finding the balance between doing everything we can for patients while at the same time respecting the fact that these are drugs that are covered by taxpayers. Finding that right balance is their responsibility. It is not my responsibility to make those very difficult clinical decisions. Frankly, I don't have that background and, with respect, neither does the member opposite.

Hansard-Official Historical Record of
 Debate in the Legislative Assembly of
 Ontario – 39th Parliament
Presented by: GERRY MARTINIUK, MPP