Innovative Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment Halaven® (Eribulin) Recieves Reimbursement Approval in the Czech Republic

Halaven(R) (eribulin) has received reimbursement approval in the Czech Republic as a highly innovative drug for patients with metastatic breast cancer, effective from the 1 January 2014. Eribulin is the first, single-agent chemotherapy to demonstrate a prolonged overall survival in patients with heavily pre-treated advanced breast cancer, compared to other single agent chemotherapies.  

    "The reimbursement of eribulin in the Czech Republic is an important step forward for women with metastatic breast cancer," says Professor MUDr. Bohuslav Melichar, PhD, the Scientific Secretary of the Czech Society for Oncology. "These patients urgently need new treatment options and in particular, therapies which have demonstrated an overall survival benefit in heavily pre-treated patients. The advent of eribulin will be welcomed by patients and doctors across the country."  

    Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Czech women and accounts for nearly 25% of all newly diagnosed malignancies in the female population. More than 6,400 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the Czech Republic and metastatic disease will develop in approximately 30% of cases.  

    "Metastatic breast cancer continues to affect many women across Europe. We are pleased that the Czech health authorities recognise the innovative drug status and clinical value eribulin may offer to women with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer," commented MUDr, Milos Zivanský, Medical Director of CEE in Eisai. "The reimbursement in the Czech Republic underscores the potential importance of this treatment and Eisai will work closely with local health authorities to ensure that women in the Czech Republic have rapid access to a treatment that has a proven overall survival benefit."  

    Eribulin received European Commission approval on 17 March 2011 based on the results of the pivotal Phase III EMBRACE (Eisai Metastatic Breast Cancer Study Assessing Treatment of Physician's Choice (TPC) Versus Eribulin E7389) study.Eribulin is now available in 50 countries worldwide.