Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) and Herceptin (trastuzumab) - Potential risk for medication error due to name confusion

Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche), in consultation with Health Canada, would like to bring to your attention the potential risk for medication error due to the similarity in the non-proprietary names of KADCYLA and another breast cancer medication, HERCEPTIN, and the importance of ensuring that the correct product is administered to patients. KADCYLA (trastuzumab emtansine), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive, metastatic breast cancer who received both prior treatment with HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab) and a taxane, separately or in combination. Read more here.