A life-extending drug for pancreatic cancer patients will continue to be made available on the Welsh NHS despite plans to decommission it in England.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced that Abraxane will no longer be routinely offered in England for people with advanced pancreatic cancer.
It means Welsh patient access to the treatment could be in jeopardy – because the new NICE decision is likely to override earlier approval by the All Wales Medicine Strategy Group (AWMSG).
‘Vast unmet need’
Leading charities Pancreatic Cancer UK and Pancreatic Cancer Action have condemned the move over claims the disease has “a vast unmet need” for treatment.
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Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Wales and affects more than 500 people a year, with nearly 1,350 deaths recorded annually.
Approximately 80% of patients do not survive more than 12 months after diagnosis.
‘Devastating’
Alex Ford, chief executive at Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “After NICE’s appalling decision in England, it is now possible that the Welsh health service could u-turn on its decision to make Abraxane widely available to eligible patients with advanced disease.
“This would be devastating, as the treatment can allow people to live a precious two more months – and often much longer – which for many means twice as long to spend with their families.
“We were delighted when this drug, one of very few new treatments for pancreatic cancer in 20 years, was made available on the NHS in Wales a year ago.
“We strongly urge the Welsh health service to stick to its initial decision and not deny patients this breakthrough treatment for a disease which has the lowest survival rate of all the 21 most common cancers.”
‘Very few treatment options’
Ali Stunt, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “We are devastated that pancreatic cancer patients in Wales face having their access to Abraxane, in combination with gemcitabine, slashed.
“Not only is the negative recommendation from NICE inconsistent with previous guidance issued by the AWMSG, it leaves Welsh patients affected by pancreatic cancer with very few treatment options.
“Almost 500 patients will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Wales in 2016, and it is unfair that they could be imminently stripped of access to a life-extending treatment, while those in Scotland retain access to Abraxane, in combination with gemcitabine, via NHS Scotland.
“We call for the Welsh pancreatic community to contact their local Member of Parliament and lobby for ongoing access to Abraxane in their country.”
Source Wales Online
