Avastin

[Kamloops]

Hello

I’ve read on here about self funding for Avastin. Can I ask how you go about this? Is it through your NHS Consultant?

Thanks for any help xx

[Cheadle]

OK so I have done a lot of research into this prior to actually ending up on self-funded avastin myself.

These are the things to be aware of.

Someone has to prescribe the drug - typically your consultant, so s/he should be your starting point.

If you are self-funding, you are still primarily an NHS patient. This might mean that your clinics, blood tests & CT scans are covered by the NHS - so you are only paying for the drug + administration costs, and possibly also the consultant's fee (which could be in the region of £500 per treatment - I have heard that some consultants waive their fee but not sure how common this is).

The cost of the drug varies hugely across England, from the hundreds to over £2000 per treatment.

You cannot have any self-funded treatment in the NHS setting - so you will have to find another venue. This could be in a private unit if your hospital has one, or it could done at home. Lloyds Home Pharmacy offer this service.

As far as I know, avastin is always done initially in conjunction with another drug, eg taxol, caelyx. Then, once the chemo stops, providing you have had at least a partial response, you continue with the avastin on its own, every 3 weeks, and indefinitely (i.e. for as long as it works, you can tolerate the side effects, or the money runs out). This is in contrast to getting avastin on the NHS which is capped at, I think, 24 treatments.

There is huge variability across the country, so the first thing is to start your enquiries so how things are done where you live.

[Kamloops in reply to Cheadle]

Thank you 😊.

[Towergirl]

I’m on self funding for Avastin through my NHS consultant.

My consultant did say that some NHS hospitals trusts (he knew of in the south!) allow self funding, using their oncology ward during chemotherapy and just paying for the Avastin itself. Depends on the hospital trust rules. My hospital trust doesn’t allowed.

I’m using Lloyds Home Service and my NHS consultant (a small fee) for blood and prescriptions. The cost varies on the amount of Avastin (Vegzelma) prescribed. That’s the biggest cost plus delivery of Avastin and 2 hours for nurse and equipment. Not cheap!!

There is a trial called Glorisoa for Avastin, there’s limitations but worth a look.

Best wishes on your decision. x

[Cheadle in reply to Towergirl]

Not heard of Vegzelma before. Just googled it, I see it's an Avastin biosimilar. Is that because that's just the drug that Lloyd's offer, rather than Avastin itself? Thanks.

[Towergirl in reply to Cheadle]

It’s half the price and same make up. Avastin is out of license x

[Tealgirl7]

First off I am wishing you the best. I was diagnosed 18 years ago stage 4 HGSC..I have had several treatments over the years. I am now on Avastin with Niraparib in a clinical trial. I have persistent nodes. So far the medication is holding my disease stable. I have had it for over a year now. Not sure if this is any help as there a different trials in different countries and I am from Canada. Maybe worth looking into.