Approved indications include the treatment of
adult patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease for associated
non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), central nervous system
(CNS) hemangioblastomas, or non-metastatic pancreatic
neuroendocrine tumours (pNET), not requiring immediate
surgery
KIRKLAND, QC, Sept. 5,
2024 /CNW/ - Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside
of the United States and
Canada, announced that it has
successfully completed negotiations with the pan-Canadian
Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) for WELIREG® (belzutifan)
on August 30th. The pCPA
negotiates on behalf of the provinces, territories, and federal
drug programs, serving as a critical step in bringing
WELIREG® closer to public reimbursement.
Reaching this significant milestone is the outcome of close
collaboration with the pCPA and highlights the necessity to
progress quickly towards public reimbursement. The next step will
involve provincial and territorial governments, and federal drug
programs implementing reimbursement for their respective
jurisdictions.
"WELIREG® marks the first systemic therapy for
VHL-associated tumours in Canada,"
commented Jess Pearson, Chair of
the Canadian VHL Alliance. "Completion of this negotiation
means we are one step closer to bringing more treatment options to
patients impacted by this disease, with the potential to improve
quality of life."
Merck Canada is committed to bringing innovative medicines to
patients in need and will work closely with government bodies to
ensure WELIREG® is broadly available to Canadian
patients through public drug plans.
About von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)
VHL disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by a mutation on
the third chromosome which is known as the tumour repressor gene
and impacts approximately 1 in 36,000 individuals. The condition
presents as the growth of tumours or cysts in various parts of the
body, most often affecting the eyes, lower part of the brain,
spine, kidneys, pancreas and adrenal glands. Symptoms depend on the
location and size of the tumours, with a high risk of eventual
organ dysfunction and metastasis. Current management involves
active surveillance and surgical removal for larger tumours, with
radiation as a potential treatment for certain types of
tumours.
About Merck
At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We
use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives
around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to
humanity through the development of important medicines and
vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive
biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the
forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that
advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and
animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and
operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable, and
healthy future for all people and communities. For more information
about our operations in Canada,
visit www.merck.ca and connect with us on LinkedIn
and X @MerckCanada.
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SOURCE Merck Canada Inc.