SAINT JOHN, N.B.- A Saint John man and his family are struggling to figure out how to pay for an expensive cancer drug that could prolong his life

John Philippe has a brain tumour and a drug called Avastin, which costs more than ten thousand dollars per month, would help extend his life.

Philippe appealed to the Department of Health for financial help to pay for the drug but was refused.

The Philippes have put the first Avastin treatment on their credit card but say they have no idea how they will handle future months.

Saint John lawyer Natalie Godbout says its a heartbreaking story and the family should not have to be dealing with the government over the cost of the drug. “The heartbreaking part of this story is that this family has to struggle with this level of agony and bureaucracy at a time when they should be doing one of two things….either working on John’s recovery or reconciling their time with him before he dies”, says Godbout.

New Brunswick is one of the last provinces to implement a catastrophic drug program.