getting PD-1 post approval
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getting PD-1 post approval

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › getting PD-1 post approval

  • Post
    • September 5, 2014 at 5:05 pm
    ecc26
    Participant

    I was on Merk's EAP and got my 5th dose on Wednesday. I've been looking, but I'm wondering, now that it's been approved, how do local oncologists go about getting access and how long does that process take? Does anyone know?

     

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  • Replies
      • September 5, 2014 at 7:27 pm
      Bubbles
      Participant

      As best as I understand, you will stay on your "EAP" though they will begin charging your insurance.  Here's a segment of a post I made. 

      Scuttlebutt, so I'm not sure of the total accuracy here:  EAP centers will close and transition to commercial insurance with a transition team. If unable to pay, there will be assistance through: http://www.merckaccessprogram/keytruda.com

      I have seen this info on several sources, so I think is must be fairly accurate.  If your insurance won't pay or you are not insured…merck supposedly has a plan in place to keep you on the drug.

      As far as when local oncs will start giving anti-PD1….it may be a while.  As Ribas pointed out in one of his interviews….he was very disappointed to learn that the county hospital in his area was still not administering ipi!!!!  It takes a while for docs and/or institutions that do not specialize in a certain area to get on board with expensive and new therapies.  Neither desire the risk of the learning curve required when starting a new-to-them treatment nor the financial cost if the insurance suddenly denies coverage, etc.  But, certainly questions your local onc and your EAP doc could better answer.

      Here's a link to my post regarding Keytruda's FDA approval if you are interested:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/09/merck.html

      I wish you my best.  Celeste

       

      • September 5, 2014 at 7:27 pm
      Bubbles
      Participant

      As best as I understand, you will stay on your "EAP" though they will begin charging your insurance.  Here's a segment of a post I made. 

      Scuttlebutt, so I'm not sure of the total accuracy here:  EAP centers will close and transition to commercial insurance with a transition team. If unable to pay, there will be assistance through: http://www.merckaccessprogram/keytruda.com

      I have seen this info on several sources, so I think is must be fairly accurate.  If your insurance won't pay or you are not insured…merck supposedly has a plan in place to keep you on the drug.

      As far as when local oncs will start giving anti-PD1….it may be a while.  As Ribas pointed out in one of his interviews….he was very disappointed to learn that the county hospital in his area was still not administering ipi!!!!  It takes a while for docs and/or institutions that do not specialize in a certain area to get on board with expensive and new therapies.  Neither desire the risk of the learning curve required when starting a new-to-them treatment nor the financial cost if the insurance suddenly denies coverage, etc.  But, certainly questions your local onc and your EAP doc could better answer.

      Here's a link to my post regarding Keytruda's FDA approval if you are interested:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/09/merck.html

      I wish you my best.  Celeste

       

      • September 5, 2014 at 7:27 pm
      Bubbles
      Participant

      As best as I understand, you will stay on your "EAP" though they will begin charging your insurance.  Here's a segment of a post I made. 

      Scuttlebutt, so I'm not sure of the total accuracy here:  EAP centers will close and transition to commercial insurance with a transition team. If unable to pay, there will be assistance through: http://www.merckaccessprogram/keytruda.com

      I have seen this info on several sources, so I think is must be fairly accurate.  If your insurance won't pay or you are not insured…merck supposedly has a plan in place to keep you on the drug.

      As far as when local oncs will start giving anti-PD1….it may be a while.  As Ribas pointed out in one of his interviews….he was very disappointed to learn that the county hospital in his area was still not administering ipi!!!!  It takes a while for docs and/or institutions that do not specialize in a certain area to get on board with expensive and new therapies.  Neither desire the risk of the learning curve required when starting a new-to-them treatment nor the financial cost if the insurance suddenly denies coverage, etc.  But, certainly questions your local onc and your EAP doc could better answer.

      Here's a link to my post regarding Keytruda's FDA approval if you are interested:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/09/merck.html

      I wish you my best.  Celeste

       

      • September 7, 2014 at 4:04 pm
      arthurjedi007
      Participant

      Hey I was thinking about you on the 3rd. Sounds like you got your 5th dose so that is awesome.

      Artie

      • September 7, 2014 at 4:04 pm
      arthurjedi007
      Participant

      Hey I was thinking about you on the 3rd. Sounds like you got your 5th dose so that is awesome.

      Artie

      • September 7, 2014 at 4:04 pm
      arthurjedi007
      Participant

      Hey I was thinking about you on the 3rd. Sounds like you got your 5th dose so that is awesome.

      Artie

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