Adapting breast cancer care during COVID-19 pandemic
Pfizer is committed to supporting its NHS colleagues during the COVID-19 pandemic. NHS England has released guidance on the management of cancer patients at this difficult time.2 This guidance provides the following recommendations which we believe we can provide assistance with:
- Consider dispensing longer periods of oral medications if at all possible, to minimise patient exposure
- Seek alternative methods to monitor and review patients on systemic therapies
As such, we would like to bring to your attention the availability of our 3-month packaging for IBRANCE®▼ (palbociclib). The 3-month packaging is available in addition to the 1-month packaging and can be ordered via the same process.
The following table provides some further useful information when ordering:
PRODUCT CODE |
EAN CODE |
PIP |
IBRANCE® CAP 125 mg x 63 |
5415062343258 |
410-4501 |
IBRANCE® CAP 100 mg x 63 |
5415062343241 |
410-4519 |
IBRANCE® CAP 75 mg x 63 |
5415062343227 |
410-3909 |
We can confirm that we are not making any changes to the current patient access scheme.
In line with our Summary of Product Characteristics, for patients who experience a maximum of Grade 1 or 2 neutropenia in the first 6 cycles, complete blood counts for subsequent cycles should be monitored every 3 months, prior to the beginning of a cycle and as clinically indicated.1 These patients may benefit from the 3-month packaging.
Should you require any help or assistance with necessary coding for the 3-month packaging, please contact our Customer Contact Centre on 0845 608 8866. Alternatively, you can contact your local Pfizer representative.
AI, aromatase inhibitor; ET, endocrine therapy; HER2, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2; HR, hormone receptor; LHRH, luteinising hormone-releasing hormone.
References:
1. Pfizer. IBRANCE® (palbociclib) Summary of Product Characteristics. December 2019. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/32638 (accessed March 2020)
2. NHS England. Clinical guide for the management of noncoronavirus patients requiring acute treatment: Cancer. Publications approval reference: 001559. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/specialty-guide-acute-treatment-cancer-23-march-2020.pdf (accessed March 2020).
PP-IBR-GBR-2318. April 2020