Committed to Helping You Get Your Genentech Medicine

Knowing what to expect can make all the difference. We can help you through each step of getting your Genentech medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Erivedge Access Solutions

Erivedge Access Solutions is a resource for people who take a Genentech medicine. We connect you to the medicine you need.

I Am Concerned About Paying for Erivedge

There may be options to help you get the Genentech medicine your doctor has prescribed. Erivedge Access Solutions can refer you to patient assistance options.

We have changed the name of GATCF to the Genentech Patient Foundation. We made this change to show our commitment to helping patients and to make it easier to remember.

Getting My Medicine

You can’t get your Genentech medicine from your local pharmacy. Instead, it will come to you from a specialty pharmacy.

Your specialty pharmacy is different from your regular mail-order pharmacy. It handles drugs like Erivedge.

When we check your coverage, we also refer you to a specialty pharmacy your health insurance plan will cover.

You might not be able to get your Genentech medicine right away. First, your doctor’s office or specialty pharmacy will have to check to make sure your health insurance plan covers your medicine. This is called a “benefits investigation.” They also might have to send some more information before your plan covers your medicine. This is called a “prior authorization.”

Enrolling in Erivedge Access Solutions

  1. You fill out the Patient Consent Form.
  2. Your doctor fills out the Prescriber Service Form. You do not have to fill out anything on this form.
  3. Your doctor sends both of these forms to Erivedge Access Solutions.

There are 3 ways to send us the Patient Consent Form:

  • Complete it online at Genentech-Access.com/PatientConsent
  • Fill out a paper copy and fax or mail it to us (or give it to your doctor to do so)
  • Text a picture of the completed form to  (650) 877-1111

The Patient Consent Form lets us discuss your health information with your doctor and your health insurance plan. We can’t work with you without a signed Patient Consent Form.

You do not need to do anything else, but your doctor does. He or she needs to submit the Prescriber Service Form. This form tells us your doctor wants to treat you with Erivedge. Make sure your doctor has sent us the Prescriber Service Form so you get help from us.

You do not need to fill out anything on the Prescriber Service Form.

The Patient Consent Form replaces the PAN. The PAN and the Patient Consent Form are valid for 3 years in all states (except Maryland, where it is valid for 1 year).

If your PAN is still valid, you do not need to fill out the Patient Consent Form yet.

My Health Plan Denied Coverage for Erivedge

If your health insurance plan will not cover your Genentech medicine, you and your doctor’s office can file an appeal. Contact your doctor to ask if you should file an appeal.

We have resources to help you and your doctor file an appeal.

We have resources to help you and your doctor file an appeal. You or your doctor’s office has to file the appeal directly with your health insurance plan.

This depends on your health insurance plan. You should ask your plan directly about its process. Sometimes the appeals process is quick. However, it can take several months if you have to appeal several times.

My Insurance Might Change

If your insurance changes while you’re taking your Genentech medicine, call us. We can help you understand your new coverage.

The Genentech Patient Foundation gives free Genentech medicine to people who don't have insurance coverage or who have financial concerns and to people who meet certain income criteria.

It is your and your doctor's responsibility to complete and submit all required paperwork to your health insurance plan. Genentech cannot guarantee your plan will cover any treatments.

PAN=Patient Authorization and Notice of Request for Transmission of Health Information to Genentech Access Solutions and Genentech® Access to Care Foundation.

Important Safety Information & Indication

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INDICATION

Erivedge® (vismodegib) capsule is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a type of skin cancer, called basal cell carcinoma, that has spread to other parts of the body or that has come back after surgery or that your healthcare provider decides cannot be treated with surgery or radiation.

It is not known if Erivedge is safe and effective in children.

Serious Side Effects

Erivedge can cause your baby to die before it is born (be stillborn) or cause your baby to have severe birth defects.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about Erivedge?

  • Erivedge can cause your baby to die before it is born (be stillborn) or cause your baby to have severe birth defects
  • For females who can become pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider about the risks of Erivedge to your unborn child. Your healthcare provider will do a pregnancy test within 7 days before you start taking Erivedge. Avoid pregnancy by using birth control during treatment and for 24 months after your final dose. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have unprotected sex or think that your birth control has failed
  • For males, Erivedge is present in semen. Do not donate semen while you are taking Erivedge and for 3 months after your final dose. You should always use a condom, even if you have had a vasectomy, during sex with female partners who are pregnant or who are able to become pregnant, during treatment with Erivedge, and for 3 months after your final dose to protect your female partner from being exposed to Erivedge
  • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you or your female partner could be pregnant or thinks she is pregnant while you are taking Erivedge

Exposure to Erivedge during pregnancy:

If you become pregnant during treatment with Erivedge, you or your healthcare provider should report your pregnancy to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Erivedge?

  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed during treatment and for 24 months after your final dose of Erivedge.
  • About all the medicines you take

What should I avoid while taking Erivedge?

  • Do not donate blood or blood products while you are taking Erivedge and for 24 months after your final dose
  • Do not donate semen while you are taking Erivedge and for 3 months after your final dose

What are the possible side effects of Erivedge?

  • Bone growth problems. Bone growth problems have happened in children who have been exposed to Erivedge. These problems may continue even after stopping treatment with Erivedge
  • The most common side effects of Erivedge are:
    • Muscle spasms
    • Hair loss
    • Change in how things taste or loss of taste
    • Weight loss
    • Tiredness
    • Nausea
    • Diarrhea
    • Decreased appetite
    • Constipation
    • Joint pain 
    • Vomiting

Erivedge can cause absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea) in females who are able to become pregnant. It is not known if amenorrhea is permanent. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Erivedge. Because everyone is different, it is not possible to predict what side effects any one person will have or how severe they may be. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at (800) FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. You may also report side effects to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

Please see full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information, including serious side effects, and the Medication Guide.