How To Get a Newly Approved Cancer Drug

bctt on February 1, 2020

You’ve likely seen news stories announcing new drug approvals and wondered: Will this drug benefit me? How can I get it?

The US FDA Drug Approval and CenterWatch websites track all newly approved drugs. They also provide information about the research studies that led to the drug’s approval. Once a drug is approved, your insurer will need to decide whether to include it in its formulary–the list of drugs it makes available to patients. If it’s not in its formulary, it will not be included in your drug co-pay or co-insurance benefits. There are some drugs that may be in the formulary but require your doctor to obtain prior authorization before your prescription can be filled.

If you read about a new trial, talk to your doctor to find out if the drug might be an option for you. That way, once it is approved, you can find out if it’s covered by your formulary or if it requires prior authorization. Also, keep in mind that some cancer drugs that are approved quickly may not show the same results in real-world settings.

What Do Drug Names Mean?

bctt on December 3, 2019

Have you ever wondered: How did trastuzumab (Herceptin) get its name? Or why is the biosimilar for Herceptin called trastuzumab-anns (Kanjinti)?

As the articles below explain, the names of cancer drugs are driven by science and advertising. Each new drug starts off with a name comprised of letters or numbers that means something only to the company that created it. If studies show that the drug is beneficial, and if it is approved by the FDA, it will get a generic name and a brand name. The generic name will contain clues to how the drug works or if it is a biosimilar. Brand names will be chosen based on what companies hope to portray, and what the FDA will allow.

Read on to learn more about the art and science of how drugs get their names.

And for a refresher on biosimilars, check out this past issue of MTT.

How to Get a Medical Interpreter

bctt on September 3, 2019

Federal law requires that all health care organizations provide patients who speak little or no English with an interpreter. Providers that take Medicaid or Medicare (which are federal funds for health care services) must also meet a patient’s language needs. However, not all providers do so, and it’s often not clear if the provider, patient or insurer is responsible for paying for these services.

Below you will find links to a list of certified medical interpreters and how to find out what your insurer will cover. We’ve also included some news stories about the important role interpreters play in health care and problems patients face when they do no have access to these services.

Should You Get A Second Opinion?

bctt on September 3, 2019

Whether you were diagnosed with MBC de novo or have experienced a metastatic recurrence, a second opinion can help you learn more about your treatment options as well as make you more confident about the treatment plan you choose.

Below you can find articles that can help you think about when and how to get a second opinion. We’ve also included links to NCI-Designated Cancer Centers and NCI Community Oncology Research Programs. Centers included on these lists will offer a range of clinical trials.