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| Prostate cancer drug ruling a 'fiasco', says charity | Prostate cancer drug ruling a 'fiasco', says charity |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A charity says a decision by the NHS in England to reject a drug for men with prostate cancer is a "fiasco". | A charity says a decision by the NHS in England to reject a drug for men with prostate cancer is a "fiasco". |
| Abiraterone is already given to patients at the end-of-life after chemotherapy as it gives patients an extra few months. | Abiraterone is already given to patients at the end-of-life after chemotherapy as it gives patients an extra few months. |
| But the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said it was not cost-effective to offer it earlier. | |
| It said while the drug improved quality of life, it was unclear whether it had the same impact on life expectancy. | It said while the drug improved quality of life, it was unclear whether it had the same impact on life expectancy. |
| This was due to problems with the research data, NICE said, claiming the trial was finished early - something disputed by the drug's makers Janssen. | This was due to problems with the research data, NICE said, claiming the trial was finished early - something disputed by the drug's makers Janssen. |
| 'Vital opportunity' | 'Vital opportunity' |
| Instead, patients will have to rely on their doctors applying to the Cancer Drugs Fund, a special pot set aside for cancer drugs not routinely available on the NHS. | Instead, patients will have to rely on their doctors applying to the Cancer Drugs Fund, a special pot set aside for cancer drugs not routinely available on the NHS. |
| Some 3,000 patients have done this in the last year, but that fund is due to end in 2016. | Some 3,000 patients have done this in the last year, but that fund is due to end in 2016. |
| Owen Sharp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer UK, the largest men's health charity, said the whole process was "a fiasco". | Owen Sharp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer UK, the largest men's health charity, said the whole process was "a fiasco". |
| He criticised NICE's inflexibility and the drug company's results-gathering process, saying: "This decision is a kick in the teeth for men with advanced prostate cancer. | |
| 'Disappointed' | |
| "For many this presented a vital opportunity for extra time with loved ones and a chance to delay chemotherapy and the debilitating side-effects which come with it." | "For many this presented a vital opportunity for extra time with loved ones and a chance to delay chemotherapy and the debilitating side-effects which come with it." |
| The decision comes just a week after NICE rejected a breast cancer drug called Kadcyla - again leaving the Cancer Drugs Fund as the only option for patients. | |
| The drug normally costs £3,000 a month, but is given to the NHS for a discounted price after negotiations two years ago when the ruling on its use after chemotherapy was reached. | The drug normally costs £3,000 a month, but is given to the NHS for a discounted price after negotiations two years ago when the ruling on its use after chemotherapy was reached. |
| At the time it was hailed as a real breakthrough for patients with aggressive prostate cancer. | At the time it was hailed as a real breakthrough for patients with aggressive prostate cancer. |
| NICE chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said he was disappointed not to be able to recommend abiraterone for use before chemotherapy. | |
| He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that pharmaceutical firms had to "balance their desire to make a profit" with the reality that the NHS had to meet all its needs. | |
| "If we don't put in place arrangements to require drug companies... to look critically at what they are asking the NHS to pay, it will simply be a question of offering the keys to the safe and we can't do that," Sir Andrew said. | |
| As well as the dispute about the way the research was conducted, this ruling has caused controversy because of the way NICE carried out the assessment. | |
| When it assessed the drug for use after chemotherapy in 2012, NICE adopted its end-of-life criteria, which means it is willing to pay more. | When it assessed the drug for use after chemotherapy in 2012, NICE adopted its end-of-life criteria, which means it is willing to pay more. |
| For the latest assessment, it was judged to be a standard treatment. | For the latest assessment, it was judged to be a standard treatment. |
| The final guidance is expected later in the year, but major changes at this stage are considered unlikely. | The final guidance is expected later in the year, but major changes at this stage are considered unlikely. |
| While it will apply to England, the other UK nations also consider NICE's findings. | While it will apply to England, the other UK nations also consider NICE's findings. |
| Janssen medical director Dr Peter Barnes said the firm was "very disappointed" and would appeal against the decision. | Janssen medical director Dr Peter Barnes said the firm was "very disappointed" and would appeal against the decision. |
| Are you or is someone you know affected by the issues in this story? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Prostate cancer'. | Are you or is someone you know affected by the issues in this story? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Prostate cancer'. |