Scots denied cancer drug that buys extra year of life
‘Work to end this injustice’
A LIFE-changing breast cancer drug rejected by the NHS in Scotland has been approved for women in England.
Perjeta, which can offer patients with incurable cancer more than an extra year of life, will be routinely available south of the Border.
The drug has been given the go-ahead by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which approves treatments in England.
But it has been rejected three times in Scotland, to the fury of campaigners.
The charity Breast Cancer Now has called for ‘urgent talks’ between the Scottish Government, drug producer Roche and the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) to end the ‘injustice’.
Last night, the Government said it was due to meet the drug’s manufacturer.
Perjeta, also known by its generic name pertuzumab, can give women with incurable HER2 positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body nearly 16 months’ additional life compared to existing treatments.
It is a targeted therapy, which means it targets cancer cells and leaves healthy cells untouched, enabling patients to have a better quality of life during treatment.
The SMC previously said the cost of the drug was too high but last night said it would ‘welcome’ another application for the drug from Roche. Around 250 Scottish women are currently eligible for the drug.
Lawrence Cowan, policy and campaigns manager for Breast Cancer Now in Scotland, said: ‘It is an injustice that Scottish patients cannot routinely access a drug that is the standard of care in England. We need urgent talks to break this deadlock and for Roche, the SMC and Scottish Government to find a solution.’
Mr Cowan said the only way women in Scotland can obtain Perjeta is if they pay for it or make an Individual Patient Treatment Request. He added: ‘The fact that a deal has been reached in England proves it is possible for this drug to be made available in Scotland at a price the NHS and taxpayer can afford.
‘Everyone needs to work together and end this injustice. Women with secondary breast cancer in Scotland must not be left behind.’
A spokesman for the SMC said: ‘We make decisions based on the evidence presented to us by the pharmaceutical company, patients and clinicians. In this case the SMC committee was not satisfied pertuzumab would be an effective use of limited NHS resources.
‘SMC would welcome a resubmission from the company taking into account the issues raised.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Breast cancer patients will be concerned about accessing Perjeta.
‘That is why NHS Scotland is meeting the company to discuss the use of the drug. We are determined to improve access to treatments, giving patients longer, better quality lives.’