allow me to blabber drugs

It's called Tarceva.

The active ingredient is a drug known as erlotinib. I've never heard of that medicine before until 5 hours ago when a customer called to ask if it was available in NZ. It wasnt in the Shedule so guessed there wasnt any subsidy. Predictable. But it wasnt in MIMS either, and it was only when Bruce said that it has just changed status from being a Section 29 drug.

It's used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer and advanced pancreatic cancer. It works by blocking tyrosine kinase receptors on epidermal growth factor. It's in Phase III clinical trials too! I havent seen the literature, but it sounds very exciting.. And it's just once tablet daily for a couple of years.

It's approx $200 per tablet.

*gasp*