This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8221720.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kidney cancer drugs to be stopped Kidney cancer drugs to be stopped
(about 2 hours later)
Doctors have been told to stop prescribing kidney cancer drugs to new patients, just months after the Welsh health minister agreed their funding.Doctors have been told to stop prescribing kidney cancer drugs to new patients, just months after the Welsh health minister agreed their funding.
Edwina Hart told all 22 local health boards in January to make Nexavar, Sutent, Avastin and Torisel available, despite their use not being approved.Edwina Hart told all 22 local health boards in January to make Nexavar, Sutent, Avastin and Torisel available, despite their use not being approved.
But the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has said the drugs are not cost effective.But the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has said the drugs are not cost effective.
Ms Hart said existing patients should be allowed to continue treatment.Ms Hart said existing patients should be allowed to continue treatment.
A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said Ms Hart "expects clinicians in Wales to follow NICE recommendations for the use of these drugs now that the final guidance has been published".A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said Ms Hart "expects clinicians in Wales to follow NICE recommendations for the use of these drugs now that the final guidance has been published".
The fact that kidney cancer patients in Wales can access these drugs highlights the inequalities that exist between nations Duleep Allirajah, Macmillan Cancer SupportThe fact that kidney cancer patients in Wales can access these drugs highlights the inequalities that exist between nations Duleep Allirajah, Macmillan Cancer Support
However, she added that "patients who have started treatment with one of the drugs not recommended by NICE should be allowed to continue treatment until they or their clinician consider it appropriate to stop."However, she added that "patients who have started treatment with one of the drugs not recommended by NICE should be allowed to continue treatment until they or their clinician consider it appropriate to stop."
The decision follows appeals from Roche, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer and a joint appeal from the Rarer Cancers Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support.The decision follows appeals from Roche, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the James Whale Fund for Kidney Cancer and a joint appeal from the Rarer Cancers Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support.
The move by NICE means bevacizumab (Avastin), sorafenib (Nexavar) and temsirolimus (Torisel) have not been approved as first treatment options for advanced kidney cancer or cancer that has spread around the body.The move by NICE means bevacizumab (Avastin), sorafenib (Nexavar) and temsirolimus (Torisel) have not been approved as first treatment options for advanced kidney cancer or cancer that has spread around the body.
NICE also turned down the use of sorafenib and sunitinib (Sutent) as secondary treatment options for people with either form of the disease.NICE also turned down the use of sorafenib and sunitinib (Sutent) as secondary treatment options for people with either form of the disease.
The organisation said Avastin cost £5,982 per patient for the first six-week cycle and £6,117 for subsequent six-week cycles (about £53,000 per patient per year).The organisation said Avastin cost £5,982 per patient for the first six-week cycle and £6,117 for subsequent six-week cycles (about £53,000 per patient per year).
'Devastating disease''Devastating disease'
Nexavar is £2,980.47 for 112 tablets while Sutent is £3,363 for 30 capsules and Torisel is listed at £620 per vial.Nexavar is £2,980.47 for 112 tablets while Sutent is £3,363 for 30 capsules and Torisel is listed at £620 per vial.
Professor Peter Littlejohns, clinical and public health director at NICE, said: "We are very aware that renal cancer is a devastating disease for the individual and their family.Professor Peter Littlejohns, clinical and public health director at NICE, said: "We are very aware that renal cancer is a devastating disease for the individual and their family.
"We recommended the use of sunitinib for first line renal cancer in March 2009, so one of these new treatments is now available."We recommended the use of sunitinib for first line renal cancer in March 2009, so one of these new treatments is now available.
"The evidence to support the use of the other first and second line treatments isn't strong enough to justify using NHS funds, which could be used for other cancer treatment programmes or in other treatment areas.""The evidence to support the use of the other first and second line treatments isn't strong enough to justify using NHS funds, which could be used for other cancer treatment programmes or in other treatment areas."
'Hugely frustrating''Hugely frustrating'
Duleep Allirajah, policy manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "These innovative drugs are proven to significantly improve patients' quality of life and so it is hugely frustrating that despite this, NICE is not allowing patients to access them."Duleep Allirajah, policy manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "These innovative drugs are proven to significantly improve patients' quality of life and so it is hugely frustrating that despite this, NICE is not allowing patients to access them."
He added: "The fact that kidney cancer patients in Wales can access these drugs highlights the inequalities that exist between nations."He added: "The fact that kidney cancer patients in Wales can access these drugs highlights the inequalities that exist between nations."
Gwilym Parry, from Pwllheli, who is taking Sutent, said: "It is working for me. I don't see how they can refuse it if it is working. It's an expensive drug but what price life, at the end of the day?"Gwilym Parry, from Pwllheli, who is taking Sutent, said: "It is working for me. I don't see how they can refuse it if it is working. It's an expensive drug but what price life, at the end of the day?"
Ms Hart advised health boards to fund the drugs in January, ahead of expected guidance from NICE in March.Ms Hart advised health boards to fund the drugs in January, ahead of expected guidance from NICE in March.
At the time, she said: "I think it is unacceptable for these patients to be kept waiting any longer and I am instructing local health boards to provide these drugs for kidney cancer to appropriate patients with immediate effect."At the time, she said: "I think it is unacceptable for these patients to be kept waiting any longer and I am instructing local health boards to provide these drugs for kidney cancer to appropriate patients with immediate effect."
She said she was including a proviso that each request for funding for the life-prolonging drugs is supported by two cancer specialists and confirmed at the time it was a temporary arrangement.She said she was including a proviso that each request for funding for the life-prolonging drugs is supported by two cancer specialists and confirmed at the time it was a temporary arrangement.
Conservative health spokesman Andrew RT Davies said it was "highly regrettable" the decision came down to cost effectiveness, given the benefits and said it would be a "bitter blow" to many patients.
"Unfortunately the harsh reality is that in this financial climate we're only likely to see more of these decisions being taken throughout the Welsh NHS, due to severe budget constraints," he said.
"Edwina Hart raised kidney cancer patients hopes in January with her big announcement to provide funding - now less than a year later, these hopes have been crushed."