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NHS watchdog rejects cancer drug NHS watchdog rejects cancer drug
(40 minutes later)
Bone marrow cancer patients in England and Wales have been denied a life prolonging drug, available in Scotland.Bone marrow cancer patients in England and Wales have been denied a life prolonging drug, available in Scotland.
The NHS's drugs watchdog has released guidance which says Velcade's cost-effectiveness has not been proven and more research is needed.The NHS's drugs watchdog has released guidance which says Velcade's cost-effectiveness has not been proven and more research is needed.
Patients and health charities have condemned the ruling by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.Patients and health charities have condemned the ruling by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
Velcade slows the advance of myeloma - cancer of bone marrow plasma cells.Velcade slows the advance of myeloma - cancer of bone marrow plasma cells.
An announcement from NICE had not been expected until Tuesday, but it was brought forward after it was apparently leaked to the press. An announcement from NICE had not been expected until Tuesday, but it was brought forward after the ruling was apparently leaked to the press.
Last resort drug
Andrea Sutcliffe, who led the drug appraisal, said she was concerned at "misleading coverage" in some national newspapers.
"It is one thing to criticise our decision not to recommend the use of this drug, but quite another to unfairly raise patient expectations about the effect of this drug and its availability in other parts of the UK," she added.
Around 4,000 people are diagnosed with myeloma in the UK each year.Around 4,000 people are diagnosed with myeloma in the UK each year.
'Better than chemotherapy'
The charity, Myeloma UK, said no patient in the UK should die without having access to the drug.The charity, Myeloma UK, said no patient in the UK should die without having access to the drug.
Isn't three years of my life worth anything? Jacky Pickles
A trial last year showed Velcade (bortezomib) could extend the life expectancy of a patient by an average of six months more than standard treatment. Treatment costs about £18,000 per patient.A trial last year showed Velcade (bortezomib) could extend the life expectancy of a patient by an average of six months more than standard treatment. Treatment costs about £18,000 per patient.
The drug has been approved for use in Scotland, where it is thought to be used as a last resort. The drug was approved for use in Scotland in 2004, where it is mainly used as a last resort.
The Daily Mail earlier reported that it had seen a leaked ruling, which said the drug was more clinically effective than chemotherapy but was not regarded as "cost effective".The Daily Mail earlier reported that it had seen a leaked ruling, which said the drug was more clinically effective than chemotherapy but was not regarded as "cost effective".
Isn't three years of my life worth anything? Jacky Pickles
Jacky Pickles, 44, one of three women with bone marrow cancer from Keighley in West Yorkshire, is campaigning to get the drug approved.Jacky Pickles, 44, one of three women with bone marrow cancer from Keighley in West Yorkshire, is campaigning to get the drug approved.
"If NICE is going to get away with not backing these drugs, then we will be stuck in the dark ages."If NICE is going to get away with not backing these drugs, then we will be stuck in the dark ages.
"Isn't three years of my life worth anything?""Isn't three years of my life worth anything?"
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the NHS had become a "Scottish and a separate English health service".Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the NHS had become a "Scottish and a separate English health service".
Quality of lifeQuality of life
NICE, which regulates primary care trusts in England and Wales, has come under repeated fire over its decisions not to fund drugs.NICE, which regulates primary care trusts in England and Wales, has come under repeated fire over its decisions not to fund drugs.
The guidance will be formally issued before the end of the year.The guidance will be formally issued before the end of the year.
Objectors however can appeal against their decision.Objectors however can appeal against their decision.
If reports are true, this represents probably the single biggest setback in the history of the treatment of myeloma Spokeswoman for Myeloma UKIf reports are true, this represents probably the single biggest setback in the history of the treatment of myeloma Spokeswoman for Myeloma UK
Andrea Sutcliffe, who led the appraisal for NICE, said the committee had considered comments received during consultation on an earlier draft and had not changed its conclusion. Ms Sutcliffe, who led the appraisal for NICE, said the committee had considered comments received during consultation on an earlier draft and had not changed its conclusion.
"Although the drug is clinically effective compared with high dose dexamethasone, its cost-effectiveness has not been satisfactorily demonstrated and therefore further research is required.""Although the drug is clinically effective compared with high dose dexamethasone, its cost-effectiveness has not been satisfactorily demonstrated and therefore further research is required."
A NICE spokesman added: "NICE has appraised 26 cancer treatments to date, and we have recommended 25 of them for use by the NHS."A NICE spokesman added: "NICE has appraised 26 cancer treatments to date, and we have recommended 25 of them for use by the NHS."
A spokeswoman for Myeloma UK said: "This represents probably the single biggest setback in the history of the treatment of myeloma." A spokeswoman for Myeloma UK said the charity was taking legal advice over the ruling.
"This represents probably the single biggest setback in the history of the treatment of myeloma."
She said the entire myeloma community, including Myeloma UK and the other charities involved in the appraisal, were devastated.She said the entire myeloma community, including Myeloma UK and the other charities involved in the appraisal, were devastated.
"Velcade is a proven and licensed treatment and, quite simply, no myeloma patient in the UK should die without having access to it.""Velcade is a proven and licensed treatment and, quite simply, no myeloma patient in the UK should die without having access to it."