NICE Denies UK Lung Cancer Patients a New Lease of Life (Tarceva)
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), has banned the use of Tarceva, a life saving drug for lung cancer, as it was termed too expensive by the NHS “rationing” watchdog. But the treatment will be continued in Scotland. As a response, the angry campaigners said it was the latest example of medical “apartheid” which means the Health Service is providing dramatically different care on either side of the border.
Tarceva is one of a new generation of drugs. It attacks only cancer cells and the drug is tolerated much better than traditional chemotherapy. It is worthwhile to mention that Tarceva costs around £1,700 a month. Tarceva, is not the only one of its kind. There are many such cancer drugs that are available to the Scots but not for England. It is estimated that 2,300 patients with non-small cell lung cancer in England each year could benefit from Tarceva, a once-daily tablet.
Macmillan Cancer Support and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation both appealed against the decision. The Macmillan officials reported to be disappointed at the decision as there are very few treatment available for lung cancer in England. Other than the Macmillion, Drug makers Roche is planning to appeal against the decision, revealed sources.
Source: THE MAIL
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