Cancelling cancer drug will cost lives

[Deanne Jenkyns]

Cancelling cancer drug will cost lives


By Terry Kelly

AN angry cancer sufferer today warned a feared drug decision could be a "death sentence" for patients fighting for precious time.
Jimmy Jenkyns, of Bainbridge Avenue, Simonside, South Shields, who was previously forced to pay £1,700 a month until health bosses agreed to pay for Tarceva, was delighted when the North of England Cancer Network agreed to offer the drug for cancer patients.

After using the drug, a scan revealed Mr Jenkyns' tumour on his lung had shrunk by a third and certain secondary tumours had disappeared.

Although not a cure, Tarceva has been shown to extend life expectancy and improve the quality of life for some patients.

But now English drug watchdog, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice), is set to issue draft guidance stating that Tarceva "is not a cost-effective use of NHS resources," compared with conventional treatments.

Mr Jenkyns, 55, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2006, said: "If this guidance goes through, it will be like a death sentence for people needing the drug.

"This is the only chance some people have to extend their lives. I think this is all about cost and saving money.
Ridiculous

"It's absolutely ridiculous how this has dragged on and it will be a terrible blow if Nice advise primary care trusts (PCTs) that Tarceva is not cost-effective."

His wife, Deanne Jenkyns, 39, said: "Basically, there are no other options for some people with cancer.

"If Tarceva is withdrawn, it will be like leaving people to die.

"At least it offers people some hope, but that hope could be taken away if the final advice is for PCTs not to prescribe this drug.

"I cannot see how it could be withdrawn for someone like Jimmy, who has been on Tarceva for some time, but this could affect cancer patients who haven't yet been prescribed the drug."

The greater availability of Tarceva means more people are able to take a tablet, instead of having invasive second-line chemotherapy.

A spokesman for the North of England Cancer Network said: "This is interim guidance that has been issued by Nice for the use of Tarceva for the non small cell lung cancer.

"North East and Cumbrian oncologists will continue to prescribe this drug for patients with a clinical need.

"We will review the position for new patients when Nice issues final guidance."

Meanwhile, a spokesman for cancer charities the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Cancerbackup, said: "We strongly urge Nice to take account of the views of lung cancer patients and their doctors and overturn this announcement."

[Deanne Jenkyns]

Widow vows cancer drug fight
Published on 12/02/2008


Harry and Jean White THE WIFE of a Cumbrian cancer victim who spent the last months of his life fighting for a new drug to be made available on the NHS is dismayed that it may now be withdrawn.

Pensioner Harry White died in December last year following a long battle with lung cancer.

But wife Jean, of Westfield Drive, Workington, believes that they had an extra six or seven months together thanks to the life-prolonging drug Tarceva.

Prior to his death the brave 73-year-old battled to persuade Cumbrian health chiefs to eventually make the medication available on the NHS.

But it has emerged that they may have to withdraw their decision in line with controversial national advice.

The wonder drug Tarceva, also known as Erlotinib, helps to delay the development of lung cancer, prolonging and improving the quality of life for many patients.

Initially Mr White was refused the drug on the NHS, even though it was available to patients in Scotland.

His family, including daughter Christine Robertson, of Carlisle, was forced to launch a countywide fundraising campaign, which saw local people unite to pay for the £1,600-a-month medication.

Eventually, his efforts to change the rules paid off and health chiefs in Cumbria and the north east of England agreed to buck the national trend and make it available.

But yesterday, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) published draft proposals which would force local NHS bosses to withdraw the drug.

This guidance – which must first go out to public consultation – says that the drug “is not a cost-effective use of NHS resources” compared to the standard treatment.

Mrs White said that after everything her husband went through to get the drug, she is dismayed they are even considering withdrawing it, particularly on cost grounds.

“I’m very sad to hear that,” she told the News & Star.

“I keep saying to people that Harry didn’t die in vain, that at least we helped to get the drug so that other people can benefit.

“In the end it was a bit late for him but we took comfort from knowing that others wouldn’t have to fight on like we did to get this drug.

“I think it should be down to patient choice. We’re talking about people’s lives here.

“We both said that taking the Tarceva gave Harry and me an extra six or seven months we otherwise wouldn’t have had.

“It’s not a long time but to us it was. Every day was precious to us.

“I would sign any petition and do anything I could to stop them withdrawing it. I know how important it is.

“Harry had a much better quality of life because of it. He didn’t even look ill a lot of the time,” she said.

For the time being Tarceva will still be assessed on an individual basis by local primary care trusts.

But, once the NICE guidance is formally published later this year, all trusts will have to follow its recommendations.

n The public consultation runs until March 3. To read the full guidance and have your say visit www.nice.org.uk.

[daisey]

How can the people who make these decisions sleep at night? Words fail me. They too may weep!
Daisey.

[wendy]

To put a cost on every minute, day, week or month that someone might live longer is wicked, as all extra time is precious is my opinion.
I regard NICE rather like the Romans with their thumbs up or down!