CANADIANS URGE FASTER CANCER DRUG APPROVALS

Cancer patient groups in Canada have urged the government to speed the approval of novel, high-value oncology drugs. The Cancer Advocacy Coalition (CAC), a pressure group, cites a "significant lag time in approval" for these potentially life-saving products.

Furthermore, the group claims that survival rates vary significantly between provinces, according to entitlements under regional health plans. As shortfalls often oblige Canadian sufferers to travel to the US for treatment, the CAC has studied US approval times and data on efficacy in support of its claims.

The research indicates that British Columbia offers the best and most timely cancer care, but red tape has led to poor results in Ontario. This has boosted private sector provision in the province, as patients increasingly pay out of pocket.