HELP US END THE WAIT FOR PEGASYS!
To mark National Hepatitis Awareness Month, the Canadian Hepatitis C
Network implores you to show your support for approval of PEGASYS.
During the month of May, please e-mail or fax the letter below to The
Honourable Anne McLellan, McLellan.A@... or (fax) 613-943-0044.
We've been waiting far too long for approval of PEGASYS in this
country and this needs to end now!

Please forward with your signiture to McLellan.A@...

Thanks

Alexander (Andy) Aitken
Chairman CHCN

snip+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

May, 2003

Dear Minister McLellan,

I am writing in regards to the intolerably long delay for approval of
the newest drug treatment for hepatitis C, pegylated interferon
(Pegasys) with ribavirin. This delay clearly indicates the lack of
priority given to the treatment of hepatitis C in this country. The
combination of Pegasys with ribavirin is now available in more than 70
countries worldwide. Many Canadians with hepatitis C, especially
those whose disease is considered difficult-to-treat (genotype 1 and
cirrhosis), are aware of the international evidence demonstrating
superior results with Pegasys and ribavirin. Some have been forced to
put their lives on hold and perhaps their health at risk awaiting this
newest treatment.

If a drug like Pegasys was being reviewed for cancer, AIDS, heart
disease or arthritis, do you think this kind of delay would be allowed
to happen? I suspect not.

It is obvious that Health Canada recognizes the "breakthrough"
benefits of the combination of Pegasys and ribavirin, because it has
placed the application on "fast track." However, it appears that the
eagerly awaited "combo" cannot be approved until the review of Pegasys
monotherapy (without ribavirin) has been completed. Unfortunately, it
has been after almost three years since application for monotherapy
Pegasys was filed and this application is not on fast track. There is
no indication as to when the review of monotherapy will be completed
and the "expedited review" of the combination therapy begun.

We know, based on the millions of dollars and hundreds of Health
Canada personnel that have been diverted to dealing with SARS and West
Nile Virus, that the resources for urgent review and approval can be
found, if there is the political will. We do not doubt the value of
these expenditures for these diseases. Similarly, hepatitis C remains
a Canadian public health crisis with thousands of new cases every
year. It is a serious, life-threatening disease for hundreds of
thousands of Canadians today.

Pegasys with ribavirin is a treatment that has been developed and
proven effective for up to 75% of those with hepatitis C. We urge you
to give Canadians with hepatitis C the urgent attention that this
healthcare crisis deserves. May is Hepatitis Awareness Month in
Canada. It would be an incredible tribute if you could let those with
hepatitis C know that Health Canada will be making Pegasys combination
therapy available in the very near future.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

_______________
Signature