globeandmail.com : Dying man denied free drug

globeandmail.com : Dying man denied free drug: "Toronto-based hematologist Donna Reece, who specializes in multiple myeloma, said the decision to stop releasing Thalomid and Ontario's refusal to fund Velcade has turned the treatment clock back a decade.
'We are back in the dark ages,' Dr. Reece said in a telephone interview. '. . . This is a patient-care crisis for cancer-care delivery in this province.'
Thalomid works by helping starve tumours. It also helps stimulate cells of the immune system to attack cancer cells.
'. . . This will be an absolute catastrophe for our patients because Velcade isn't funded,' Dr. Reece said. 'This is a crisis right now for multiple myeloma because we cannot deliver anything close to the standard of care for our patients.' "