Alimta Appeal - 23rd November 2007
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence have received appeals against its decision to make the chemotherapy drug ALIMTA available on the NHS.
Alimta is able to extend life of around half of mesothelioma sufferers. NICE initially ruled against the use of Alimta across the NHS but in July after a two year campaign they announced the drug would be available to a certain category of mesothelioma patients.
Two appeals were then lodged against the guidance these appeals are from opposing spectrums. The appeal from the Royal College of Physicians and the Association of Cancer Physicians can only be a positive request for mesothelioma patients. They call for guidance to be extended to sufferers who have already been given surgery and this could pave the way for the drug to be used by more people.
The other appeal by the Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust questions the drugs cost effectiveness, efficiency and states there is “no logical or defensible reason why sufferers of occupational disease should be favoured over others whether fatal or not”.
It is disappointing that NICE procedure means the use of Alimta on the NHS by some health authorities has been delayed for many months while this appeal is being heard.
The PCT seems more worried about the cost of the drug and the following protocol than the good it can do for hundreds of mesothelioma victims.
