Roche gives free access to cancer drug after Greek government altercation

Switzerland-based Roche has confirmed it will provide a cancer drug free of charge after an altercation with the Greek government.

In late October, Roche pulled Cotellic (cobimetinib), which is used to treat melanoma in combination with Zelboraf (vemurafenib), from the Greek market.

The Greek government had introduced a levy of up to 25% on the turnover generated by patent-protected drugs as part of an ongoing bailout deal with international lenders.

The levy, which according to reports came into force in May, was also applied retroactively from January, and a 25% market entry fee on new medicines was also implemented.

On October 31, Greek health minister Andreas Xanthou said the move by Roche was “unacceptable”.

“The Ministry of Health considers that the citizens’ access to innovative and effective medicines is not a business, but a political issue, and that the challenging tactics of Roche must be resolutely dealt with by all the political and social forces of the country and by all European institutions,” said Xanthou.

Roche confirmed to LSIPR that it will now provide Cotellic free of charge to all patients who received the product at the time of its delisting in Greece (in October) and until the end of their treatment.

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