Patients denied access to kidney cancer drugs
CHARITIES expressed disappointment yesterday at a decision to deny patients access to four kidney cancer drugs that could help extend their lives.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) issued draft guidance rejecting the drugs Sutent, Avastin, Nexavar and Torisel.
Charities said the decision left patients only one treatment option – interferon – to which many do not respond.
In Scotland, three of the drugs are already not recommended for use on the NHS by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). The makers of the other – Torisel – have never applied for a review by the SMC.
The Nice guidance, which applies to England and Wales and is considered by Scots officials, could end any hope of the treatments becoming available north of the Border.
Professor Peter Johnson, of Cancer Research UK, said he was disappointed by the move.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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