avastin costs

[Suzannevans]

hi, is anybody having avastin (bevacizamab) and paying privately for it. I responded well to it on first diagnosis 6 years ago. Unfortunately I am not eligible on the nhs . Can anybody tell me more about the costs as they seem to vary so much.

[Caleda4]

Hi, I have been told it is £1,700 for each treatment or £20,000 approx. for the course. At the moment I am on 6 months watch and wait,having had carbo/caelyx April to August 2022 which was 3rd line treatment. Take care x

[Suzannevans in reply to Caleda4]

Hi, thank you for replying. I was under the impression that after a number of years Avastin could be produced by other companies ( bevacizumab) therefore becoming more affordable. This is now happening but the costs vary so much. My research has shown that it can be a bit of a "postcode lottery" regarding the price. These start at around £200 a treatment up to the price you have been told. There is a petition going forward for colon cancer patients who are denied this drug by the NHS. If I find anything more about this I will let you know.Regards Suzanne

[purfekt10 in reply to Suzannevans]

New biosimilars to Avastin have been developed. My oncologist wants me on one of them called Zirabev.

[Suzannevans in reply to purfekt10]

Thank you. I'll find out more about that. Suzanne

[N-A-58]

I asked my mums onc and she wouldn’t be covered by the nhs but apparently it’s £800 a go in the Hertfordshire area.

Please do keep us updated. When I get to speak to the onc again I’ll question it and update.

[Suzannevans in reply to N-A-58]

Thank you. I find it hard to understand why there is such a price difference. I'll update if I have any more information.Regards Suzanne

[Raphagogogo]

I used it privately when I was in HOng Kong and it was around 2000 GBP every 3 weeks. But it was 5 years ago and I guess nowadays the price has been greatly reduced.

[Suzannevans in reply to Raphagogogo]

You would think so, as the patent has expired! But apparently depends where in the country it is administered!

[couls]

Hi, I had to self fund Avastin from 2016 to 2019. This was for my first recurrence and wasn’t available on the NHS. The cost began at £3500 every 3 weeks which dropped to £2000 every 3 weeks after the first year. I’m unfortunate to be on chemo again for my third recurrence. The hospital where I am treated in Yorkshire have informed me they are not providing Avastin or the bio similar for patients to self fund at this time as their pharmacy is working at over 120%. This leaves me with the only option of funding everything private at a private hospital . I am currently waiting for a quote. My family and friends and myself included did every fund raising event you could possibly think of to fund Avastin for the 3 years I was on it. My hope was at least this time it would be cheaper as it is now off patent, I sometimes think they never make anything easy for us to live. Would really appreciate if anyone is getting it cheaper anywhere in the UK you could let me know where, as I’m sure travelling one day every three weeks will be a lot cheaper than what I’ve previously had to pay.

Thanks Val.

[Suzannevans in reply to couls]

Obviously Avastin worked for you whilst you were on it, as it did for me. I can't afford £1700 a month but would find a way fund a bio similar if possible. N. A. 58 mentioned it was offered to her mum for £800 a go in Hertfordshire. I need to find out more about this. Macmillan have been helpful in recommending some reputable private care companies. Regards Suzanne

[couls in reply to Suzannevans]

Hi, are the companies that MacMillan recommended fully funded private hospitals ? As I think this is where everything is charged at a private price, including urine dips. I believe if you pay in an NHS hospital only the Avastin or bio similar is charged private. If you come up with an option I’d be interested to hear, likewise if I come up with anything I’ll pass it on

Thanks Val.

[Suzannevans]

Hi Val, that’s helpful information. I think they must be. One was “ private healthcare information network” (phone.org.uk). The other “Uk Private Healthcare Options simplified Go Private.com.

I live in the midlands…..anywhere near you?

Regards Suzanne

[couls in reply to Suzannevans]

Hi, I’m near Leeds in Yorkshire. Val

[Leniko]

sometimes the drug companies will help. Talk to your doc.

[Suzannevans in reply to Leniko]

Thank you for that adviceSuzanne

[Suziejasp]

Hi Suzanne.

Hope you are well.

Did you find out any more info on this please?

My mum is wanting to pay privately for it as maintenance. Her consultant at the christie originally said she would only pay for the drug as a top up and essentially would be treated on the nhs. We were told it would be approx £20k for the year, however just received the quote and it’s £46k!

Very confused about the costings of this drug!

[couls in reply to Suziejasp]

Hi, I’m also trying to find somewhere to access Avastin at a price that’s affordable. Do you know what you are actually paying £46k for ? They charge by the weight of the patient as well. Say 7,5MG Avastin per Kg of the patients weight. Are you paying for bloods, consultations private ? Have they broke down the quote for you ? I’ve had a quote from the Spire private hospital, this came out with everything at roughly just over £4,000 every 3 weeks. Everything is charged. This is just so out of reach. I was under the impression that now the patent was off Avastin it would be cheaper, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

Best wishes Val. X

[Suzannevans in reply to Suziejasp]

Hi, I haven't found out anything new yet. Have you read the other replies to my original post? There are a few thoughts and ideas there. I did hear that privately you pay for the drug but administration would be Nhs. 46k sounds a bit steep! I am treated by Professer Jayson at the Christie. My telephone appointment is next Thursday and I will have a few questions to ask then. Interesting to see if I get the same response as you. Please keep in touchRegards Suzanne

[Suziejasp in reply to Suzannevans]

Thanks for the replies. Mums consultant is also Prof Jayson. We are hoping there is some confusion with the pricing as he did say £20k for the year to us a month or so back. Mum is only 8.5 stone so it can’t be that her weight has shot the price up. I’m hoping they’ve come up with that price assuming mum is a private patient and not factored in the NHS top up as he did say it’s soley the price of the drug she would need to pay for. His services, bloods etc would all be NHS. Il come back to you once the pricing is confirmed.

Many thanks x

[Suzannevans in reply to Suziejasp]

Many thanks to you as well x

[Suziejasp]

Hi, Just been confirmed the costing of £40k plus is correct which is unaffordable. Wondering if it’s worth ‘shopping around’ to see if it’s available for a more affordable price somewhere else. Not really sure how to go about this though… very disappointed x