Chemo drug supplier lacked overseer

The company that supplied nearly 1,200 Canadian cancer patients with diluted chemotherapy drugs operates without federal or provincial oversight, the Toronto Star has learned.

Both the Ontario College of Pharmacists and Health Canada distanced themselves from Marchese Hospital Solutions on Tuesday. The college said the Mississauga company that provided mixed chemotherapy drugs to hospitals in Ontario and New Brunswick is not an accredited pharmacy and therefore not subject to regular inspections. Health authorities in Ottawa confirmed Marchese holds no federal licences, which would trigger inspections and enforcement.

Teen Who Ran From Chemo 18 Years Ago Now Cancer-Free

BOSTON -- Eighteen years ago, 16-year-old Billy Best's story made national headlines when he ran away from his adoptive Norwell home, refusing anymore chemotherapy treatments.

Best had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and doctors said he had six months to live without the treatment. But Best wanted alternative measures.

Today at age 34, Best is cancer-free, happy, and he and his girlfriend, Maya, are parents of 14-month-old Max.

Best said when he was 16, he didn’t think he'd live to see 18, let alone have children.

Initially following doctor's orders, he endured five rounds of chemotherapy. Best said he lost weight and smelled different.

"I could smell what I thought was poison coming out of my body. I didn't think I would make it through the treatments," said Best.

His solution was to sell some of his possessions and run away to Texas, where he lived in a warehouse. Three days later, he learned of the worry his parents who did not know where he was or whether he was dead or alive.