Menu
04/02/2009
Kidney Cancer Drug Given Green Light
A drug, which prolongs the life of kidney cancer sufferers, has been given the go-ahead for patients in England and Northern Ireland, in a U-turn move.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) - the NHS drugs watchdog - published revised guidance on the drug Sutent (sunitinib). It has already been approved for Wales, but is still not available in Scotland.
Similar advice published last year rejected Sutent for use on the NHS, alongside Avastin (bevacizumab), Nexavar (sorafenib) and Torisel (temsirolimus).
At the time, charities voiced their outrage at the decision, arguing that patients only had one treatment option if Sutent was not approved, to which many patients did not respond.
But NICE has now revised its guidance, saying it should be approved on the NHS in England. It however, has rejected the other three drugs.
Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive of NICE, said: "Having decided that one of these treatments should be recommended for use in the NHS, we felt that it was in the interests of patients to get that advice out as quickly as possible.
"Although this final recommendation is subject to appeal we very much hope it will form the basis of our guidance to the NHS.
"The other three drugs we are looking at will be the subject of further consultation."
Around 7,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year, and 1,700 of these patients will be diagnosed with an advanced form of the disease.
Earlier this month, the Welsh health minister Edwina Hart announced that all four drugs would be made available to people in Wales. It is thought prescribing the drugs will cost £600 a week per patient.
However, Mrs Hart made it clear she was making the decision subject to reappraisal of the drugs by NICE.
(JM/BMcC)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) - the NHS drugs watchdog - published revised guidance on the drug Sutent (sunitinib). It has already been approved for Wales, but is still not available in Scotland.
Similar advice published last year rejected Sutent for use on the NHS, alongside Avastin (bevacizumab), Nexavar (sorafenib) and Torisel (temsirolimus).
At the time, charities voiced their outrage at the decision, arguing that patients only had one treatment option if Sutent was not approved, to which many patients did not respond.
But NICE has now revised its guidance, saying it should be approved on the NHS in England. It however, has rejected the other three drugs.
Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive of NICE, said: "Having decided that one of these treatments should be recommended for use in the NHS, we felt that it was in the interests of patients to get that advice out as quickly as possible.
"Although this final recommendation is subject to appeal we very much hope it will form the basis of our guidance to the NHS.
"The other three drugs we are looking at will be the subject of further consultation."
Around 7,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with kidney cancer each year, and 1,700 of these patients will be diagnosed with an advanced form of the disease.
Earlier this month, the Welsh health minister Edwina Hart announced that all four drugs would be made available to people in Wales. It is thought prescribing the drugs will cost £600 a week per patient.
However, Mrs Hart made it clear she was making the decision subject to reappraisal of the drugs by NICE.
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
27 August 2008
NHS Patients To Get Sight-Saving Drug
Patients in England suffering from a crippling medical condition, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are now to get access to a potentailly sight-saving drug. New guidance, which applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, now recommends Lucentis (also called ranibizumab) for treating wet AMD. It is already available in Scotland.
NHS Patients To Get Sight-Saving Drug
Patients in England suffering from a crippling medical condition, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are now to get access to a potentailly sight-saving drug. New guidance, which applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, now recommends Lucentis (also called ranibizumab) for treating wet AMD. It is already available in Scotland.
23 April 2014
Nice To Block New Breast Cancer Drug
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is moving to block a new breast cancer drug because it said it is not effective enough to justify the price the NHS is being asked to pay. The clinical trial results allegedly show that women on Kadcyla treatment survived 30.9 months. compared with 25.
Nice To Block New Breast Cancer Drug
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is moving to block a new breast cancer drug because it said it is not effective enough to justify the price the NHS is being asked to pay. The clinical trial results allegedly show that women on Kadcyla treatment survived 30.9 months. compared with 25.
24 August 2010
Cancer Drug Too Expensive For NHS
Campaigners say they have been let down after a health watchdog refused a life saving drug for bowel cancer to be available on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) rejected Roche's drug Avastin (bevacizumab), which can help patients with advanced bowel cancer, claiming it was too expensive.
Cancer Drug Too Expensive For NHS
Campaigners say they have been let down after a health watchdog refused a life saving drug for bowel cancer to be available on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) rejected Roche's drug Avastin (bevacizumab), which can help patients with advanced bowel cancer, claiming it was too expensive.
24 March 2011
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
Patients Getting Improved NHS Care
A round-up of NHS quality and financial performance between October and December 2010 has been published by the Department of Health today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
