Generic Imatinib. So I attended QE Birmingham yesterday for my 3 month appointment. A few things, first PCR 0.02 so 3.8 log drop and a nice fall since restarting Imatinib after stopping for DESTINY trial.
QE have taken the step for good responders that are “well” to now not see a Doctor. I didn’t know this till I was called in and saw Tim, the principle pharmacist. Very nice guy, and had a good chat. He explained this move is to free up time for the doctors, and reduce the wait time for others, eg I was seen in 30 minutes. I can see why this is done, and don’t have an issue, there are doctors about if I did have an issue of any kind. I know others patients see specialist nurses instead of doctors already.
As he is a pharmacist he knew all about generic Imatinib, I am the first he has prescribed for, great ! Anyway he called the chemist first to see if I would get it and yes as they have no Novartis Glivec on the shelf for CML, it will still be used for GIST as not off patent for that yet.
I am now on 6 month PCR’s but said I wanted a 3 month one as now on a generic, he said this should be fine, and noted the file. I will push at next appointment if not offered a PCR, and all of us should I feel while generics bed in in the UK.
My generic is made by Intrapharma and is smaller than Glivec, it looks like, and is the size of an Ibroprophen tablet. There are a few generics that we will have, he said each region will buy their own type so we could get whatever, they are 400Mg Imatinib, and should work no differently. I know from the Facebook group a member there has been given Actatis as the generic from a different hospital,- much bigger than Glivec tablet.
I have quite a number of the branded Glivec but felt I should start the generic rightaway as only delaying the inevitable. So yesterday I took my first. No issue so far. In many ways, and I mean this the right way, I am an ideal patient, just chance my appointment was early on. Reason, well I have little to no side effects, therefore if I get some, well not good, if I don’t then bodes well for others……. Will keep you posted.
So looks like all of us on Glivec in the UK will be changed on their next appointment as it seems any branded drug will be held by clinic for GIST patients. Branded will not be available he said, and yes a region may change suppliers in time.
On last thing which was not good, the leaflet in the box said “ in adult patients Imatinib is used to treat late stage of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia called Blast Crisis. In children and adolescents however it may be used to treat all stages of the illness ” .
It does make you wonder, presuming there is not a real reason eg this generic is for blast crisis, then how the manufacturer can get the information in the covering leaflet wrong is appalling really. I have emailed the hospital and written to the makers today to clarify if this is wrong, as I feel it is, and ask the leaflet be changed, or ask why it is for Blast Crisis only in adult cml patients.
Nigel