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| U-turn over asbestos cancer drug | U-turn over asbestos cancer drug |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| NHS drugs advisers have reversed their proposal to block a drug for people with asbestos-related cancer. | NHS drugs advisers have reversed their proposal to block a drug for people with asbestos-related cancer. |
| The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence had said Alimta (pemetrexed disodium) should be used only in new or ongoing clinical trials. | |
| But manufacturers Eli Lilly appealed against the guidance, covering England and Wales, and a new NICE draft says it can be used for advanced mesothelioma. | But manufacturers Eli Lilly appealed against the guidance, covering England and Wales, and a new NICE draft says it can be used for advanced mesothelioma. |
| Campaigners say they are delighted. Final guidance is due in September. | Campaigners say they are delighted. Final guidance is due in September. |
| About 4,000 people a year develop the cancer, mainly among populations who were in manufacturing industries. | About 4,000 people a year develop the cancer, mainly among populations who were in manufacturing industries. |
| This is absolutely excellent news for all those patients suffering from this dreadful disease Dr Mick Peake, of Mesothelioma UK | This is absolutely excellent news for all those patients suffering from this dreadful disease Dr Mick Peake, of Mesothelioma UK |
| The cancer is nearly always terminal, but the drug can help extend patients lives. | The cancer is nearly always terminal, but the drug can help extend patients lives. |
| NICE originally said Alimta should only be recommended for use in new or ongoing clinical trials. | NICE originally said Alimta should only be recommended for use in new or ongoing clinical trials. |
| But under the revised guidance, Alimta is recommended for patients who are able to carry out day-today tasks but whose cancer is advanced and where surgery is inappropriate. | But under the revised guidance, Alimta is recommended for patients who are able to carry out day-today tasks but whose cancer is advanced and where surgery is inappropriate. |
| The drug is used to treat mesothelioma, a type of cancer which most often affects the lining of the lungs and is mainly linked to asbestos exposure. | The drug is used to treat mesothelioma, a type of cancer which most often affects the lining of the lungs and is mainly linked to asbestos exposure. |
| If there are no appeals against the new guidance, it will be issued to the NHS in the next few months. | If there are no appeals against the new guidance, it will be issued to the NHS in the next few months. |
| Benefit | Benefit |
| Dr Mick Peake, a consultant physician and vice chairman of Mesothelioma UK, said "This is absolutely excellent news for all those patients suffering from this dreadful disease. | Dr Mick Peake, a consultant physician and vice chairman of Mesothelioma UK, said "This is absolutely excellent news for all those patients suffering from this dreadful disease. |
| "Pemetrexed is one of the very few treatments for which there is good evidence of benefit." | "Pemetrexed is one of the very few treatments for which there is good evidence of benefit." |
| NICE said during the consultation it emerged that costs could be reduced by shorter treatment cycles and lower doses. | NICE said during the consultation it emerged that costs could be reduced by shorter treatment cycles and lower doses. |
| Dr Gillian Leng, NICE implementation director and executive lead for the guidance, said: "Our initial review of the evidence available on pemetrexed disodium suggested that it was insufficient to demonstrate that the drug was better than other, far less costly medicines. | Dr Gillian Leng, NICE implementation director and executive lead for the guidance, said: "Our initial review of the evidence available on pemetrexed disodium suggested that it was insufficient to demonstrate that the drug was better than other, far less costly medicines. |
| "However, a number of significant factors have become apparent, which, taken together, have enabled the independent appraisal committee to recommend pemetrexed disodium as a treatment option for the majority of people with the cancer." | "However, a number of significant factors have become apparent, which, taken together, have enabled the independent appraisal committee to recommend pemetrexed disodium as a treatment option for the majority of people with the cancer." |