Press Release

Action Mesothelioma day Portsmouth news article

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NICE FINALLY APPROVES ASBESTOS CANCER DRUG

Today, NICE announces that it has rejected an appeal against its decision to approve the use of Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma, a fatal tumour of the lung pleura caused by exposure to asbestos.

This decision brings to an end an approval process which has taken nearly three years, and which led to one of the worst examples of post code lottery funding. While mesothelioma patients in Scotland, the North West and North East of England received treatment, hundreds of patients were refused treatment in other parts of the UK.

This agonisingly long appraisal process has caused untold distress for hundreds of mesothelioma patients who might have benefited from treatment with Alimta, which, although not a cure for mesothelioma, can extend life and alleviate symptoms for many patients. Average life expectancy from diagnosis for mesothelioma sufferers is 12 months: for many patients this decision has come far too late.

Final guidance will now be issued by NICE so that PCTs will at last be obliged to uniformly provide treatment, although they have the option of a 90-day lead in period following an official announcement by NICE.

Tony Whitston, Chair of the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum, commented:

PCTs should respond immediately to NICE’s announcement today and follow Department of Health Guidance which encourages early implementation of NICE guidance. In light of today’s clear and unequivocal decision by NICE it would be perverse for any PCT to refuse a request for treatment after so many years delay and anguish for patients and their families.

PLEURAL PLAQUES COMPENSATION

The Law Lords have upheld a Court of Appeal decision to end compensation for pleural plaques.
Compensation has been paid for over 20 years for the anxiety and fear that a diagnosis of pleural plaques causes. This judgement has caused anger and dismay to thousands of people who live everyday with this fear.
The Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK is calling on MP’s of all parties to try to overturn this disgraceful decision for pleural plaques sufferers.

Tuesday 29 January 2008
1pm – protest opposite Parliament (College Green)
Followed by a meeting in
Room 14
House of Commons
Westminster
LONDON
SW1A 0AA

Pleural Plaques lobby 29th January

To obtain an A4 size leaflet/flyer to display please click on image below

Alimta campaign pack

The NICE Final Appraisal Determination of the 9th July 2007 recommended funding of Alimta on the NHS. That decision was appealed and so any final decision to fund Alimta has now been delayed.

This means that most PCTs are still refusing to fund Alimta where a patient's oncologist recommend this treatment, despite an existing appraisal which recommends funding.

If you have been refused funding for treatment with Alimta and would like to challenge that decision please download the campaign pack below.

Several 'pdf' type files make up the campaign pack - which is the pack plus appendices. To view or print each of these files, please click on the link below, the file will then appear in a separate window.

Download:

Campaign Pack

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Appendix 5

Appendix 5A