Canine cancer patients face death sentence if RIH refusal to provide chemotherapy drugs isn’t reversed
Canine family members unlucky enough to get cancer will face death sentences unless Interior Health reverses or stalls a decision to stop providing chemotherapy drugs to local vets.
Health Minister Terry Lake.
In a letter to Riverside Small Animal Hospital, which administers chemo to several patients a year, the IHA says Royal Inland Hospital will no longer mix and dispense the drugs as of Jan. 2.
The letter gives as the reason “a new purchasing contract that prohibits us from selling medications to other health professionals” except in extreme emergencies.
It was signed by RIH health services director Suzanne Gardner-Clark and pharmacy services manager Ian Petterson.
Verterinarian Dr. Matt Nicol responded to the letter as soon as he received it last month but has had no response until today (Monday, Dec. 5, 2016) when MLA and Health Minister Terry Lake called him.
Nicol said Lake — who is a veterinarian by profession and a known dog lover — has just returned from a trip out of country and is very interested in the situation. Lake promised to talk with IHA officials to see if something can be done.
At the least, said Nicol, he’s hopeful of an extension of service while alternatives are investigated.
The Riverside clinic currently has two patients undergoing chemotherapy. They would be cut off of their treatments part way through if RIH goes ahead with putting a stop to the service.
Nicol said there are no feasible alternatives to accessing the chemo drugs because a special mixing room is needed and no local vet clinic would be able to afford the estimated $50,000 to $70,000 to build one. Between 10 and 20 dogs a year receive chemo from the Riverside clinic.
“Our patients are stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
He said the drugs are not subsidized by taxpayers.
With only a few weeks left before canine cancer patients are left high and dry without their life-saving drugs, anxiety is growing.
“The clock is ticking,” said Nicol.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Pets extend our lives in many positive ways. Pets help reduce stress and they give us a better quality of life. There are many different types of service dogs as well from the RCMP, Military, and for the blind to just name a few. If a client wishes to pay for the service I don’t understand why RIH can’t continue to provide the service they have up till now. I am truly surprised that there isn’t more of an outcry from pet owners on this.
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What is the world coming to? A dog lives 17 years if it’s lucky. There isn’t even enough chemo drugs for the people of this province, let alone every dog, cat, horse, pig, cow, gerbil, or rabbit….and the list goes on and on. Where does the line get drawn? Get real…we still eat cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, rabbits, and yes in some countries dog is the food for the day.
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I think that the excuse given by IHA is just so much bafflegab. What they really mean is that they just don’t want to do it anymore.
The statement by Nicol is a crock also. If all of the vet clinics got together and built this mixing room, the cost would be minimal, compared to their bottom line after expenses.
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