New drugs bring hope to Scots cancer patients

CANCER and leukaemia sufferers have been given a boost after two powerful drugs were approved for use on the NHS in Scotland.

AbraxanePH

Abraxane increases the life expectancy of people with advanced pancreatic cancer when used in

Abraxane, which increases the life expectancy of people with advanced pancreatic cancer when used in combination with standard chemotherapy, has been given the go-ahead to be distributed.

The drug, which boosts the average lifespan of terminal patients from 6.7 months to 8.5 months, had previously been rejected on cost grounds. But the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) yesterday announced that Abraxane would be made available after reconsidering last year’s decision.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of the disease, killing 80 per cent of those diagnosed. 

Pancreatic cancer causes almost five per cent of cancer deaths in Scotland

Alex Ford, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK

In 2012, there were 770 cases in Scotland and 742 deaths. Alex Ford, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the SMC’s decision. They have listened to the positive input received from us, patients and clinicians and they should be applauded for doing so.

“The decision means that eligible patients in Scotland will now be able to access this treatment for free on the NHS, alongside patients in England and Wales. 

“Currently, pancreatic cancer causes almost five per cent of cancer deaths in Scotland and so it is important that as many patients as possible are given every opportunity to access life-extending treatment.”

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has also approved Bosulif, a drug for people who are suffering from chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).  

It has proven successful for patients of the rare form of leukaemia who are no longer responding to existing therapies and it can be taken to keep CML at bay for life. Bosulif, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), works by blocking proteins that allow leukaemia cells to grow.

Some 600 people a year in the UK are diagnosed with the condition, and have just a 40 per cent chance of surviving the next five years.

In 2012, 60 people in Scotland were diagnosed with the disease – the highest number since 2007.

David Ryner, chair of the CML Support Group, said that the new Patient And Clinical Engagement (PACE) group set up by the Scottish Medicines Consortium had improved access to medicines for rare conditions.

He said: “The meetings are now a lot more deliberative and the impact these drugs have on patients, like giving them the ability to work and have a normal family life, are taken much more into consideration.

“Scotland is a good place to be right now and is probably the leader in the UK in this area.”

Professor Mhairi Copland, Professor of Translational Haematology at the University of Glasgow, said: “Today’s decision provides a treatment option for eligible CML patients whose current therapies are no longer working or are causing significant side effects. 

“The comprehensive and pragmatic approach of the SMC in evaluating treatment, including consultation with expert clinicians and patient groups, is beginning to pay dividends for patients.”

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