Patient organisations Myeloma UK, Cancerbackup and Leukaemia CARE have welcomed the news that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued revised preliminary positive guidance recommending that Velcade is made available on the NHS to patients living with the bone marrow cancer myeloma.
The patient organisations, who last year appealed against NICE's initial negative decision, today welcomed this draft recommendation as a positive step in the right direction for patients but wish to consider the details of the proposal carefully to ensure that the guidance represents the best deal for all patients.
"We very much welcome the fact that NICE has agreed that this important drug should be made available to myeloma patients, as it is without question clinically effective" says Eric Low, Chief Executive of Myeloma UK. "We understand that this draft recommendation has been reached after talks between NICE, the Department of Health and the manufacturer in which a 'response scheme' has been proposed, where the manufacturer rebates PCTs for patients that don't respond to Velcade. We welcome the fact that these conversations have resulted in a creative way to ensure that this important cancer drug can be made available to patients.
"However, we now need to carefully consider the details of the draft recommendation as we have concerns that it may exclude some patients who could benefit. We will be seeking clarification on the proposed guidance throughout the open consultation process and hope it will ensure that all patients who could benefit from the treatment can get access to it. We strongly believe that no patient should die without having had appropriate access to Velcade."
Judy Dewinter, Chairman of Myeloma UK and a myeloma patient reinforced this view, saying:
"Patients around the country, including myself, are incredibly relieved that the ruling is a move in the right direction. It has been a long time coming, with many families suffering anguish because they have not been able to access the treatment. This represents a major development and gives patients hope that they are one step closer to being able to access an important treatment to help them fight this complex and challenging disease."
This recommendation is now open to public consultation for the next two weeks before a final decision is issued by NICE in July.
Myeloma
-- Myeloma is a debilitating form of bone marrow cancer, which is currently incurable, but treatable
-- It is a cancer of the plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. Most symptoms are caused by build up of defective plasma cells in the marrow, these include: bone pain, bone fractures, fatigue, anaemia and an increased burden of infections
-- The incidence of myeloma is increasing faster than any other cancer in the Western world. It has increased by 30% over the past 30 years
-- It is more common than all but one form of leukaemia
-- Nearly 4,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with myeloma each year and there are 20,000 myeloma patients in the UK at any one time.
-- Until recently, the average life expectancy of a newly-diagnosed myeloma patient is 3-5 years, but new treatment advances means that people are living longer and it is hoped that myeloma will one day become a chronic, rather than incurable disease
-- Treatment in myeloma is aimed at halting the progress of disease and treating the symptoms of the disease to maintain and improve the patient's quality of life
-- The most common forms of treatment include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, steroids, stem cell transplants, thalidomide and new treatments such as Velcade
-- Originally considered an older person's disease, the incidence of myeloma is now increasing in the young, with 10-15% of patients now under the age of 55
myeloma.uk
cancerbackup
leukaemiacare.uk
View drug information on Velcade.
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