Sutent is a (fairly new) medication prescribed to treat kidney cancer. Because kidney cancer is resistant to traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation,Sutent is that much more important for kidney cancer patients. Prince Edward Island is the ONLY province in Canada that does not include Sutent on its provincial formulary. This means that any patient that requires this drug, cannot be covered by any provincial or private drug plans. Sutent costs approximately $7,000.00 per month. The cost of this medication means that to many patients, it is out of reach, and to others, financially devastating. Cancer is a overwhelming diagnosis on its own, nevermind with the addition of financial crisis. Prince Edward Island spends the LEAST AMOUNT per capita on medications, compared to the rest of the country. There are currently over 70 medications waiting to be added to PEI's formulary. There are approximately 11 patients in PEI that require this medication and there will be more every year. Sutent needs to be added to the formulary NOW to allow patients access to a medication that is considered the STANDARD OF CARE.

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