Jevtana Accessibility In Belize: Availability And Importation Options

Jevtana is a cancer medicine used to treat men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. It is available in the European Union and the United States, but it is unclear whether it is available in Belize. Belize is a country in Central America with a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. It has a small, private enterprise economy based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction also playing important roles. The country has a population of around 400,000 people and is known for its lush forests, extensive coral reefs, and diverse ecosystems.

Jevtana's availability in the USA

Jevtana (cabazitaxel) is a semi-synthetic derivative of a natural taxoid and is the fourth taxane to be approved as a cancer therapy. It is a microtubule inhibitor and is indicated in combination with prednisone for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Jevtana was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2010 for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer. It is available as a generic medication and can be obtained with a prescription.

Jevtana is administered intravenously and is given once every three weeks as an infusion lasting one hour. The recommended dose of Jevtana is 20 mg/m2, although a dose of 25 mg/m2 can be used in select patients at the discretion of the treating healthcare provider.

Jevtana is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company. It is available as a concentrate and a solvent to be made up into a solution for infusion. It is expected to be widely available as a marketed product in the United States.

The cost for Jevtana intravenous solution (60 mg/1.5 mL) is around $14,614 for a supply of 1.5 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy. A generic version of Jevtana has been approved by the FDA, although pricing information is not currently available.

Safety Information

Jevtana has several safety warnings and precautions that should be considered. Neutropenic deaths have been reported, and frequent blood cell counts should be performed to monitor for neutropenia. Jevtana is contraindicated in patients with neutrophil counts of ≤1,500 cells/mm3.

Severe hypersensitivity reactions can occur and may include generalized rash/erythema, hypotension, and bronchospasm. Jevtana is contraindicated in patients with a history of severe hypersensitivity reactions to cabazitaxel or to other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80.

Mortality related to diarrhea has been reported, and patients should be rehydrated and treated with anti-emetics and anti-diarrheals as needed. If experiencing Grade ≥3 diarrhea, the dosage should be modified.

Renal failure, including cases with fatal outcomes, has been reported. Patients aged ≥65 years are more likely to experience fatal outcomes and certain adverse reactions, including neutropenia and febrile neutropenia.

Jevtana can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. It is also important to note that there is no known antidote for Jevtana overdose.

Belize's healthcare system

The Belize healthcare system has been subjected to several reforms over the years, with a focus on improving the standard of healthcare in the country. The MoH is instrumental in creating significant reforms in the medical arena. The healthcare sector comprises both publicly and privately run healthcare facilities, which are financed through public and local private health insurance schemes. The system provides all citizens and residents with free or low-cost healthcare services from publicly run healthcare providers.

There are eight major public hospitals and around 60 public clinics in Belize, although these remain underfunded, understaffed, and under-supplied. Belize City offers the highest level of care in the country. The public hospitals and clinics provide very low-cost and almost free healthcare services, but this often results in long waiting queues. A Belize Health Information System card (BHIS) is mandatory for anyone seeking treatment in a public healthcare facility, including expats.

The private health sector in Belize has grown over the last few years, especially in urban areas. Although the costs are high, the coverage is comprehensive, and there is a range of secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities. The acquisition of international private health insurance has also increased recently.

There is a shortage of medical professionals in Belize, with many doctors and medical professionals being foreign nationals working as volunteers in the Belizean health sector. This shortage of medical supplies and equipment is particularly evident in rural areas, where emergency services are limited.

Despite its shortcomings, the Belizean healthcare system has been steadily improving, and the country has dedicated, caring doctors who offer personal attention to their patients. Many of the country's healthcare shortcomings are relatively easy to deal with, as minor ailments and emergencies can be treated by physicians at public clinics, which are found throughout the country. Additionally, high-quality medical care is available in several nearby countries, and insurance that covers emergency transportation to the US is usually very affordable.

Belize's history

Belize, known as British Honduras until 1973, was the last British colony on the American mainland. It has a history similar to that of English-speaking Caribbean nations, with institutions and an official language that reflect its past as a British colony. However, its culture is more akin to that of other Central American countries. Belize's small population is ethnically diverse and includes a large proportion of immigrants.

Ancient Maya Civilisation

The Maya civilisation emerged at least three millennia ago in the lowland area of the Yucatán Peninsula and the highlands to the south, in what is now southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, western Honduras, and Belize. The Maya civilisation spread into the area of Belize between 1500 BC and AD 300 and flourished until about 1200. Several Maya ruin sites, including Cahal Pech, Caracol, Lamanai, Lubaantun, Altun Ha, and Xunantunich, reflect the advanced civilisation and much denser population of that period.

European Exploration and Colonial Rule

European contact began in 1502–04 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras. European exploration was begun by English settlers in 1638. Spain and Britain both laid claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798. It became a British colony in 1840 and a Crown colony in 1862.

Independence

Belize achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981. It is the only mainland Central American country that is a Commonwealth realm, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state, represented by a governor-general. Guatemala refused to recognise the new nation because of its longstanding territorial dispute, claiming that Belize belonged to Guatemala. About 1,500 British troops remained in Belize after independence to deter any possible Guatemalan incursions.

Belize's geography

Belize is a small Central American nation located on the Yucatán Peninsula, north of the equator and west of the Prime Meridian. It is the only Central American country without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Mexico to the north-northwest, Guatemala to the south-southwest, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize has a total land border of 542 km, a coastline of 386 km, and a total size of 22,966 km2.

The geography of Belize can be divided into two main regions: the northern lowlands and the southern region dominated by the Maya Mountains. The Maya Mountains are a large block of intrusive Paleozoic granite and sediments that run across the south-central part of the country. The mountains rise to heights of about 1,100 metres, with the highest point being Doyle's Delight, at 1,124 m, in the Cockscomb Range. The northern lowlands consist of mangrove swamps and tropical pine savannas and hardwood forests. The country's largest lake is the New River Lagoon, at approximately 13.5 km2.

Belize has a tropical climate with a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from January to May. The temperature varies according to elevation and proximity to the coast, with average temperatures in the coastal regions ranging from 24 °C in January to 27 °C in July. The seasons are marked more by differences in humidity and rainfall than in temperature. Belize is also prone to hurricanes, especially during the late Atlantic hurricane season, and coastal flooding, particularly in the south.

Belize's landscape also features numerous rivers and lagoons, including the Belize River, the Sibun River, and the New River. The Belize River is the country's largest and most historically important river, serving as a main artery of commerce and communication until the 20th century.

The country has a diverse range of wildlife and ecosystems, including coral reefs, islands, and cays that form part of the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest in the Western Hemisphere and the second longest in the world. This reef system is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is vital to Belize's fishing industry and tourism.

Belize's economy

Belize has a developing free-market economy, with a focus on private enterprise. The country's economy is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and services.

Agriculture

Belize's primary exports are citrus fruits, sugar, and bananas. The country's arable land is limited, with only a small fraction of its 8,090 square kilometres of arable land under cultivation. In 1999, banana production accounted for 16% of Belize's total exports. Citrus fruits are the country's second most important agricultural crop, followed by sugarcane. In 2018, Belize produced 1.7 million tons of sugarcane, along with smaller yields of oranges, bananas, maize, papaya, rice, and soy.

Tourism

Tourism is a major source of foreign income for Belize, with its many attractions drawing in visitors from around the world. The country's natural assets, including the Belize Barrier Reef (the second-largest in the world), its extensive mangroves, ancient Mayan ruins, diverse wildlife, and ideal climate for water sports, make it a popular tourist destination. Ecotourism is also growing in popularity.

Trade

Belize has a substantial trade deficit in goods, with imports exceeding exports. The country's chief trading partners include the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Mexico, Curaçao, Panama, and members of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom). Belize's main exports are seafood, sugar, citrus products, bananas, and clothing, while its chief imports include machinery, transport equipment, food, fuels, lubricants, and chemicals.

Energy and Natural Resources

Belize has limited natural resources, and relies heavily on imports for its mineral fuels, fossil fuels, and electricity. However, the country does have some mineral production, including dolomite, barite, bauxite, cassiterite, and gold. The discovery of crude oil in Spanish Lookout has opened up new prospects for the country's energy sector.

Challenges and Prospects

Belize faces challenges such as a growing trade deficit, high public debt, and low levels of female labour force participation. However, the country has experienced sound economic growth, with a rebound fuelled by increased tourism and construction. Belize's economic prospects are closely tied to environmental preservation and building economic resilience, particularly in the face of climate change.

Frequently asked questions