Calgary cancer patient hit with $9,700 charge for life-saving drug

Robyn Crawford, a 44-year-old Calgary resident, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and, despite surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, progressed to stage-four disease by 2024. She has been receiving the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, marketed as Keytruda, every three weeks, which has dramatically reduced lung tumours and stabilized her condition. On Monday, she learned that Alberta Health Services imposes a maximum number of funded treatments for the drug, meaning the next dose would cost her $9,700.

Crawford declined the scheduled infusion to consider alternatives, including a possible exemption, partner insurance, or reduced dosing. Her oncologist warned that lowering the dose or pausing treatment could jeopardize her progress. The provincial Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services has not yet commented on the policy.