HALIFAX - Nova Scotia will fund two additional cancer drugs - but Avastin is not one of them.
Health Minister Chris D'Entremont says Oxaliplatin, a drug that treats colorectal cancer, and Mab Campath, a drug that treats chronic lymphocytic leukemia have been added to the list.
The decision is based on recommendations by the province's Cancer Systemic Therapy Policy Committee, which includes oncologists, pharmacists and cancer survivors.
The committee feels Oxaliplatin can treat colorectal patients after surgery and prevent the disease from progressing.
Members looked at the economics and new evidence on Avastin and concluded it does not offer the same potential in early stages of cancer.
Although Avastin costs an average of $35,000 per patient for 12 treatments over six months British Columbia, Newfoundland and one Quebec health district are funding it.
