Cancer drug to be given on NHS

CAMPAIGNERS for the life-extending cancer drug Alimta are celebrating after it was given the final go-ahead for use on the NHS.

As reported in later editions of yesterday’s Chronicle, all patients with asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma will be given the North East-developed drug free.

Despite two appeals against its use, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has given all trusts the go-ahead to prescribe the drug.

Alimta is the only treatment for mesothelioma and was sanctioned for use by North East NHS trusts following the Chronicle’s Give Us A Chance campaign in 2005.

“We really are delighted at this decision,” said Chris Knighton, from Wallsend, whose husband Mick died from mesothelioma, prompting her to raise more than £330,000 for research.

“It’s been one of the worst examples of postcode lottery prescribing and we’ve lobbied parliament on a number of occasions because there is nothing else for people with this disease.

“But it’s been a long journey to get to this point and people with mesothelioma don’t have time on their side.”

In 2005 the Northern Cancer Network agreed to let patients in the North East have Alimta on the NHS, but nearby health authorities did not grant it for their patients.

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson, patron of the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, added: “It is only right that treatment is available according to need and not cost.

“However, the delay getting this decision has added to the mental and physical anguish for sufferers and has sadly come too late for some.

“We should now see an end to the postcode lottery whereby some patients have received the treatment while those in neighbouring Primary Care Trust areas have not.”

Alimta is the only licensed treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma – a form of lung cancer resulting from exposure to asbestos.

Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, Alimta can increase life expectancy and bring symptom relief as well as improved quality of life.

Source: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2008/01/24/cancer-drug-to-be-given-on-nhs-72703-20389326/