[Beth.Gunner.]

Cost of combination treatment v. single agent

by Beth.Gunner. on Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:14 pm

My father's doctor mentioned combination treatment of Revlimid with Velcade. He didn't mention the cost, and I was too embarrassed to bring it up. Our insurance is minimal, and I want to know if a combo of two drugs is more expensive than one or the other alone. This may seem basic, but this is the first time anyone in my family has been sick before, and it's fallen on me to take care of my dad. Any help?

[Ricardo]

Re: Cost of combination treatment v. single agent

by Ricardo on Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:00 pm

Beth - Is your father taking any treatment right now? If so, what is it?

[Beth.Gunner.]

Re: Cost of combination treatment v. single agent

by Beth.Gunner. on Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:00 pm

He's on Velcade right now, but he was on Thalidomide for a while before that.

[isabel]

Re: Cost of combination treatment v. single agent

by isabel on Sat Oct 16, 2010 2:57 pm

the combination will cost more, but you can call your insurance and ask. Velcade and Revlimid are provided by two different companies, you can find out if they have assistance programs for patients and if you qualify. Last option, there are ongoing trials looking at the combination given some positive results. you can see if you can enroll him, which means he gets the treatment for free. unfortunately, since the trials are blind, you dont know if he indeed got both or he got in the placebo arm. however, those options might help you explore how to pay for the treatment as most probably the combination will work better.

[Anonymous]

Re: Cost of combination treatment v. single agent

by Anonymous on Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:55 pm

Trials that I participate in do not include treatment or drugs free. Also note that all trials do not always incude a placebo arm, the ones I have been in had no placebo. There were variables in the treatment however.
Note that Velcade's manufacturer has a program for people who do not have the insurance coverage and a problem affording their drug. Contact Millennium co directly!

Hugh