Ovarian cancer patients push for public funding of life-saving drug Elahere
Negotiations failed in May to fund the drug for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Patients and Ovarian Cancer Canada are renewing calls for both parties to return to the bargaining table.
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Ovarian cancer patients and advocacy groups are intensifying pressure to secure public funding for Elahere, a life-saving drug approved by Health Canada but currently inaccessible to most patients in the country.
Negotiations between drugmaker AbbVie and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA), which negotiates drug prices on behalf of federal, provincial, and territorial public drug plans, broke down in May without a deal. Since then, patient Gertrude Spatafora and Ovarian Cancer Canada have launched a petition to the House of Commons and a public awareness campaign calling for funding.
Elahere is designed specifically for women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer — those unable to receive standard platinum-based chemotherapy. Without public coverage, each treatment costs up to $30,000. Spatafora was told she needs at least three treatments a year. "And if you do the math, that's very tough on the budget," she said.
Canada's Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) recommends that Elahere be reimbursed by public drug plans, but the breakdown in talks has stalled progress. "We will lose women while we wait for this process to finalize," said Ovarian Cancer Canada CEO Tania Vrionis. "Elahere is the first treatment for some women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in more than a decade. This is the only option available that can give these women more time."
The pCPA says the ball is in AbbVie's court: "While negotiations have concluded, the pCPA process allows for AbbVie to submit an unsolicited offer if they wish to re-engage in negotiation." AbbVie responded that it "wants to negotiate with pCPA as quickly as possible to ensure Canadian women who need Elahere can get it," but did not confirm plans to submit a new offer.
Vrionis also flagged a broader problem: Canada is the worst in the G7 at bringing new drugs to market, a concern that extends beyond Elahere. "I'm very concerned that companies won't want to bring their drugs to Canadians because it is so difficult," she said.
The facts
When did negotiations for Elahere funding break down?
Negotiations between drugmaker AbbVie and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance broke down in May 2026 without a deal.
How much does each Elahere treatment cost without public coverage?
Each Elahere treatment costs up to $30,000 without public coverage.
What does Canada's Drug Agency recommend for Elahere?
Canada's Drug Agency recommends that Elahere be reimbursed by public drug plans.
What is Elahere used to treat?
Elahere is designed for women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer — those unable to receive standard platinum-based chemotherapy.
