Ulster may be deprived of asbestos cancer drug
- From: J <macyinno@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2006 16:04:49 -0400
News distorts...
This product gained 3 months (median) in combination _with
_chemotherapy...and Vit B12 and folic acid.
<http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/developments/newly-approved-treatments/page4>
Supplementation with vitamin B12 and folic acid was instituted during the
trial to decrease adverse effects. Subsequently, all patients, including
previously enrolled patients, were given vitamin supplementation.
In an analysis of all patients who were randomized and treated, the
combination of Alimta and cisplatin was associated with a statistically
significant improvement in survival compared to cisplatin alone. The
median survivals were 12.1 versus 9.3 months, respectively (p = 0.020).
This superiority in the combination arm was also demonstrated in the fully
vitamin supplemented subgroup. The median survivals were 13.3 and 10.0
months in the combination and cisplatin alone groups, respectively (p =
0.051).
(median means 50% do better and 50% don't live as long)
J
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=702931
Ulster may be deprived of asbestos cancer drug
By Nigel Gould 18 August 2006
Dozens of Ulster patients suffering from an incurable cancer linked to
asbestos exposure could be deprived of a new life-giving drug because
English medical chiefs have ruled it too expensive, it can be revealed
today.
The drug, Alimta, is believed to extend the life of a mesothelioma
sufferer by up to four months.
But it is not a cure.
The drug has been available on the NHS in Scotland since July last year
after being approved by experts at the Scottish Medicines Authority.
But the medical authority in England and Wales, the National Institute for
Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), ruled that the drug was not cost
effective.
At the moment, there is no equivalent body in Northern Ireland - but just
last month our Department of Health established a formal link with NICE.
Now, health chiefs here will adopt a wait-and-see approach over the drug's
use in Ulster.
Mesothelioma, which usually kills within a year of diagnosis, is mainly
caused by fibres of asbestos that damage the lungs.
It is found in clusters where asbestos was used most widely, and that
means places like the shipbuilding industry.
Former mayoress of Derry City Council, Mary Carlin, whose husband Tony
died from mesothelioma three years ago at the age of 56, today described
NICE's decision as a "disgrace".
"Are people going to die sooner to save money?", she said.
"We would have jumped at the chance if this would have been around for
Tony. We had been advised against an operation but anything in tablet
form, we would have gone for it.
"People will look at this and say anything is better than nothing.
"It is a horrendous illness."
A Department of Health spokeswoman said final guidance from NICE for the
use of the drug would not be published for a few months.
The health spokeswoman said: "NICE is carrying out a technology appraisal
of the drug pemetrexed disodium (brand name Alimta) for the treatment of
malignant pleural mesothelioma (a form of asbestosis).
"The institute produced its Final Appraisal Determination (FAD)
recommending that this medicine should not be used for the treatment of
this condition on the grounds of clinical and cost-effectiveness.
NICE intends to publish its final guidance on this drug in October.
"The department established a formal link with NICE in July 2006 and under
this link will assess all of the institute's guidance currently in
development for its applicability to NI and will advise the Health and
Personal Social Services accordingly.
"We have asked the NI Cancer Network (NICAN) to comment on any potential
contextual difference in NI that might mean that the NICE guidance is
either less applicable or not applicable in the NI context.
"The network's comments will inform the department's decision on whether
to endorse this particular technology appraisal for implementation in the
HPSS."
But a spokeswoman for Lily UK, which manufacturers Alimta, said it would
be appealing the decision.
"NICE's current position is a major blow for patients with mesothelioma
many of whom were unwittingly exposed to asbestos in their working lives
making submarines, ships, boilers, and trains," she said.
In January last year, Dr Ken O'Byrne, consultant oncologist at St James's
Hospital and chairman of the British Thoracic Oncology Group, warned in
Dublin that mesothelioma was increasing rapidly in Ireland and had yet to
peak.
An estimated 80-100 victims die from asbestos-related illnesses in Ulster
every year.
Admissions to Ulster hospitals from such conditions have nearly trebled in
just 10 years.
Could you benefit from Alimta? Please phone
.
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