Mesothelioma is a very difficult cancer to treat. It begins in the lining of the organs and often reaches an advanced stage before someone’s diagnosis. Therefore, the mortality rate for mesothelioma is high. Medical professionals are eager to find any solutions that could help someone achieve remission or extend their survival while improving their quality of life. In recent years, doctors have been looking at a combination of different therapies, as traditional chemotherapy doesn’t usually lead to much improvement for those with mesothelioma.
Current best practices often include administering standard platinum–pemetrexed chemotherapy. A growing body of research has shown that special drugs, like pembrolizumab, might improve somebody’s response to their chemotherapy regimen. Pembrolizumab is an immunotherapy drug that can help the body fight various forms of cancer. Unfortunately, immunotherapy drugs are often incredibly expensive.
How much does pembrolizumab cost?
Drug manufacturers often have to invest years of work into the development of a single new medication, so the cost of the newest promising medications when fighting cancer can be astronomical. The list price for Keytruda, the brand name version of pembrolizumab, is shockingly high. Those receiving the drug every three weeks will pay $11,115.04 per dose, while those on a six-week schedule will pay twice that or $22,230.08.
The average individual would struggle to cover that price out of pocket. Sadly, many health insurance providers will not cover the newest and most expensive medications on the market. If they do cover the drugs, they will usually pass a significant portion of treatment costs on to the patient. Those diagnosed with mesothelioma need resources if they want to improve their quality of life and chances of survival.
Mesothelioma lawsuits help people pay for treatment
Employers and companies that release products to the public have exposed people to asbestos for decades. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral substance that has a strong correlation with mesothelium.
It’s possible for those diagnosed with mesothelioma to pursue a lawsuit against a business that caused their asbestos exposure. The funds that they secure in such lawsuits could help them pay for treatment and provide support for their family members if treatment is not successful. As a result, those who have been diagnosed usually benefit from exploring their rights and legal options with the assistance of a skilled attorney.