FDA OKs new Novartis drug for type of advanced breast cancer
Source: AP
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — U.S. regulators have approved a new drug as an initial treatment for postmenopausal women with a type of advanced breast cancer.
The drug, called Kisqali and developed by Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG, is a pill that works to slow the spread of cancer by blocking two proteins that can stimulate growth and division of cancer cells. It's for women who have metastatic breast cancer known as HR+/HER2-. About 40 percent of U.S. women diagnosed with breast cancer have this type, according to the American Cancer Society. "This is an important therapy for these patients" who have limited options, said Dr. Vas Narasimhan,
A four-week supply of Kisqali, or 21 pills, will have a list price of $10,950 for the strongest dose — 600 milligrams. The 400-milligram dose will cost $8,760 and the 200-milligram dose $4,380, Novartis said.
Patients often need to switch doses and the smaller doses will save patients and insurance companies money. Novartis said it will offer patients several types of financial assistance and many won't have to make copayments.
Read more: https://apnews.com/28568fc58d784fea8d750248380d4cd9/FDA-OKs-new-Novartis-drug-for-type-of-advanced-breast-cancer
