The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Prostate cancer drug wins backing from watchdog
A drug to treat advanced prostate cancer should be given to patients on the NHS, a health watchdog has said.
Abirateron, marketed as Zytiga, can extend the lives of late-stage cancer sufferers by more than three months.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) revised its recommendations after fresh information from manufacturer Janssen, and the newdraft guidance was welcomed by experts.
Professor Alan Ashworth, chief executive of the Institute of Cancer Research, said: “We are delighted by today’s decision to allow patients with advanced prostate cancer to receive abiraterone on the NHS. This drug was discovered at the Institute of Cancer Research and is the result of more than two decades of dedicated work byourscientistsandcollaborators.
“In clinical trials of men with advanced prostate cancer who have already tried chemotherapy, it has been shown to extend life by an average of four months and improve quality of life.”
The Prostate Cancer Charity also welcomed the recommendation, but called for the guidance to be issued across the whole of the UK – including Scotland – because Nice covers just England and Wales.
Owen Sharp, chief executive of the charity said: “This announcement represents a resounding triumph for each of the thousands o f men w i t h advanced prostate cancer in England and Wales who know just how much the prospect of precious extra time with their loved ones really means.
“We are delighted Nice has overturned its earlier decision after reviewing the evidence. Although today marks a very welcome advancement, it has to be remembered that abiraterone remains out of reach to men in Scotland on the NHS. We need to see every man who needs this drug receive it on the NHS, regardless of where they live.”