Ferriprox (L1) in Canada

Does anyone know the process of obtaining this drug in Canada through the Special Access Program. My doctor was supposed to be applying yesterday.  Has anyone gone through the process and know how long it takes?

Hello sophiag,

L1 also known as Ferriprox or Deferiprone is available in US/Canada under a special program (compassionate use).

Here is a link that might be able to help you in regards with it's use in Canada.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3216429/

Deferiprone is also available under a compassionate use program in Canada, Dr. Richard Ward, a hematologist with the Red Blood Cell Disorders Program at the Toronto General Hospital in Ontario, testified during the meeting’s open session. Ward indicated his program has prescribed the drug to nearly 40 patients with thalassemia and sickle cell disease, or about 25% of those treated in the program. The drug enables the program to offer patients a treatment tailored to their own needs, he said.

Also, there are a few posts on thalpal that I am referring to below and might be helpful to you.

http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,2724.0

http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,2589.0

http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,4188.0

You can also get in touch with CAF (Cooley's Anemia Foundation) and they might be able to help you if more information is needed.

Cooley's Anemia Foundation
330 Seventh Avenue, #900
New York, NY 10001
(800)522-7222
Fax: 212-279-5999

Patient Services Manager
Eileen Scott
eileen.s@cooleysanemia.org

Let us know of any update so other's can use that information for their needs.

Hi Narendra,

Thank you for the information. I know Dr. Ward as I was a patient of his in Toronto. I am now in Western Canada where I live and am being treated. Needless to say, trying to get to a doctor to help me with this has been a joke in itself the last 10 years. I am still fighting though.