AVSGF-UK: Alimta Press Release 23 Jan

Press Release 23 Jan.

Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum – UK

NICE FINALLY APPROVES ASBESTOS CANCER DRUG

Today, NICE announces that it has rejected an appeal against its decision to approve the use of Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma, a fatal tumour of the lung pleura caused by exposure to asbestos.

This decision brings to an end an approval process which has taken nearly three years, and which led to one of the worst examples of post code lottery funding. While mesothelioma patients in Scotland, the North West and North East of England received treatment, hundreds of patients were refused treatment in other parts of the UK.

This agonisingly long appraisal process has caused untold distress for hundreds of mesothelioma patients who might have benefited from treatment with Alimta, which, although not a cure for mesothelioma, can extend life and alleviate symptoms for many patients. Average life expectancy from diagnosis for mesothelioma sufferers is 12 months: for many patients this decision has come far too late.

Final guidance will now be issued by NICE so that PCTs will at last be obliged to uniformly provide treatment, although they have the option of a 90-day lead in period following an official announcement by NICE.

Tony Whitston, Chair of the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum, commented:

PCTs should respond immediately to NICE’s announcement today and follow Department of Health Guidance which encourages early implementation of NICE guidance. In light of today’s clear and unequivocal decision by NICE it would be perverse for any PCT to refuse a request for treatment after so many years delay and anguish for patients and their families.

Currently, mesothelioma patients are waiting for PCTs to respond to requests for treatment. For comments by patients who will be hoping for a positive response to today’s announcement please contact Forum member:

Joanne Carlin, Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team, Tel: 0124 623 1441

For information about this press release please contact Tony Whitston Tel: 0161 636 7555; mobile: 07748189837

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Deaths from mesothelioma have increased from 153 in 1968 to 2037 in 2005. Latest projections suggest that they will peak somewhere between current levels and 2450 deaths some time between 2011 and 2015.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh0607.pdf

Alimta plus Cisplatin received a license for safe use in the UK in 2004. After a lengthy appraisal process, in 2007 NICE changed its decision not to approve treatment with Alimta but this decision was appealed which led to further delay. The appraisal process has taken over two and a half years.

PCTs are allowed 90 days to implement a decision by NICE. Department of Health Guidance encourages PCTs to implement a decision as soon as possible, and says in the Funding Direction.

The Funding Direction
The Directions provide PCTs with a period of three months within which to make a health care intervention available to NHS patients in recognition of the fact that it can take some time to put the necessary funding arrangements in place.
Each PCT should use its best endeavours to ensure that any new treatments recommended by NICE are available as soon as possible after NICE issues Technology Appraisal Guidance. If it is possible for a PCT to make the necessary arrangements without utilising the full three month period stipulated in the Directions, it should do so.
(Good Practice Guidance on Managing the Introduction of New Healthcare Interventions and Links to NICE Technology Appraisal GuidanceLS2, 14th December 2006)