Osimertinib (Tagrisso)

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) recommends that Tagrisso be reimbursed by public drug plans for the treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable (stage III) non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) — a stage at which the cancer has spread to nearby areas but cannot be removed by surgery. This applies only to patients whose tumours have specific changes in the EGFR gene, such as exon 19 deletions (Ex19del) or exon 21 L858R substitutions (either alone or in combination with other EGFR mutations), and whose disease has not progressed during or following platinum-based chemoradiation therapy, provided certain conditions are met. Tagrisso should only be covered to treat adult patients with locally advanced unresectable (stage III) nonsquamous NSCLC (the most common subtype of NSCLS, which begins in gland-like cells in the lungs) with documented Ex19del or exon 21 L858R substitutions and who have not had disease progression during or following platinum-based chemoradiation therapy. Only patients who have a good performance status should be eligible for Tagrisso. Tagrisso should only be reimbursed if it is prescribed by clinicians with expertise in treating NSCLC and the cost of Tagrisso is reduced.