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Despair as drug ruled too expensive
Oxfordshire's postcode lottery cancer victims were dealt a devastating blow this morning after new guidance ruled the life-extending drug Sunitinib was too expensive for the NHS.
Twenty people in Oxfordshire have been denied the drug by the county's primary care trust despite it being available in other areas, and many had vowed to fight the 'postcode lottery' over treatment.
But today the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) issued draft guidance rejecting four drugs, including Sunitinib, because they were considered not cost effective.
The other three are Avastin (bevacizumab), Nexavar (sorafenib) and Torisel (temsirolimus).
Campaigners say Sunitinib extended the lives of sufferers with advanced kidney cancer.
The draft guidance, which is subject to appeal, rejects the drugs, saying they are not cost effective for patients with advanced and/or metastatic kidney cancer.
The annual cost for Sunitinib is about £32,000 per patient per year, according to Nice.
The guidance said people already on the therapies should continue until they and their doctors consider it appropriate to stop.
Clive Stone, a kidney sufferer who is leading the Oxfordshire campaigners, said this morning he was devastated at the decision.
Charities expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.
Broadcaster James Whale, who lost a kidney to cancer in 2000, said the guidance would "mean an early death sentence for many" if it was not revised.
Every year, up to 7,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with kidney cancer.
Of these, around 1,700 patients will be diagnosed with advanced kidney cancer and at any one time around 3,600 people are living with the advanced form.
Professor Peter Littlejohns, clinical and public health director at Nice, said: "The decisions Nice has to make are some of the hardest in public life.
"NHS resources are not limitless and Nice has to decide what treatments represent best value to the patient as well as the NHS.
"Although these treatments are clinically effective, regrettably, the cost to the NHS is such that they are not a cost-effective use of NHS resources.
"Two of the manufacturers have developed proposals which may have the effect of reducing the cost of the drugs. We will be happy to consider these proposals once they have been reviewed and considered suitable for the NHS, by the Department of Health."
Oxfordshire PCT has said it only considers prescribing the drug when a patient's clinical circumstances differ significantly from the general population of patients and they are likely to benefit from the treatment more than an average patient.
Only one sufferer, Stephen Dallison, 33, is known to have won his appeal against the PCT's decision.
He has said he is responding well to the treatment in the past.
8:49am Thursday 7th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: C on 11:31am Thu 7 Aug 08
Why don't they negotiate a better price, then? I understand that the NHS's purchasing strategy is essentially "how much do you want?", if it actually got its finger out then maybe this wouldn't be a problem. It's not good enough to just give up and say "there's nothing we can do". Some people don't have that luxury.
Why don't they negotiate a better price, then? I understand that the NHS's purchasing strategy is essentially "how much do you want?", if it actually got its finger out then maybe this wouldn't be a problem. It's not good enough to just give up and say "there's nothing we can do". Some people don't have that luxury.
Posted by: Peter, Oxford on 11:55am Thu 7 Aug 08
[quote]too expensive for the NHS.[/quote]
Amazing this country. Millions are spent on a daily basis on two wars with no end in sight, our MP's are claiming millions in expenses every year for second kitchens, this country regularly gives away millions to other 'under developed' countries and yet we cannot afford tro provide healthcare for our own citizens. What is wrong with US ?
too expensive for the NHS.
Amazing this country. Millions are spent on a daily basis on two wars with no end in sight, our MP's are claiming millions in expenses every year for second kitchens, this country regularly gives away millions to other 'under developed' countries and yet we cannot afford tro provide healthcare for our own citizens. What is wrong with US ?
Posted by: j, Didcot on 12:11pm Thu 7 Aug 08
The NHS must spend an absolute fortune on medications. Surely amongst all their [bold]very well paid management[/bold] , there must be someone with the gumption to negotiate a better deal and bring the prices down?
The NHS must spend an absolute fortune on medications. Surely amongst all their
very well paid management , there must be someone with the gumption to negotiate a better deal and bring the prices down?
Posted by: M, Oxford on 12:45pm Thu 7 Aug 08
This, unfortunately, is a sad example of how the NHS is a failing institution.
Too many people using it and not enough people putting into it.
As our population gets older and older this is going to continue to get worse.
The only real solutions are to raise more money by higher taxes and NI and as no government will do that as it's electoral suicide, the other solution is to strip down the NHS to caring for those most in need. Where a drug or treatment improves life expectancy or cures a patient should be the first priority, anything that improves quality of life but does not add to life expectancy should be a secondary choice.
Harsh, but true. The NHS needs to be sustained as an institution that saves lives and extends lives. If we continue to bury our heads in the sand over this we will see the complete collapse of the NHS.
I would also make those responsible for incurring costs through drunkeness and drug-taking responsible for paying those costs. Get drunk, start a fight pay for your nose to be reset. I'd also get the NHS to make claims against car insurance for costs for treating injuries, put someone in hospital by dangerous or drunk driving and watch your insurance premiums go through the roof.
As a sweetner, anyone who takes out full private medical cover can get a reduction in their NI contributions.
That way the poor people being denied extra years on their lives despite paying their contributions would get these drugs and those that cost the NHS through stupidity and selfishness will have to pay more than those who don't
This, unfortunately, is a sad example of how the NHS is a failing institution.
Too many people using it and not enough people putting into it.
As our population gets older and older this is going to continue to get worse.
The only real solutions are to raise more money by higher taxes and NI and as no government will do that as it's electoral suicide, the other solution is to strip down the NHS to caring for those most in need. Where a drug or treatment improves life expectancy or cures a patient should be the first priority, anything that improves quality of life but does not add to life expectancy should be a secondary choice.
Harsh, but true. The NHS needs to be sustained as an institution that saves lives and extends lives. If we continue to bury our heads in the sand over this we will see the complete collapse of the NHS.
I would also make those responsible for incurring costs through drunkeness and drug-taking responsible for paying those costs. Get drunk, start a fight pay for your nose to be reset. I'd also get the NHS to make claims against car insurance for costs for treating injuries, put someone in hospital by dangerous or drunk driving and watch your insurance premiums go through the roof.
As a sweetner, anyone who takes out full private medical cover can get a reduction in their NI contributions.
That way the poor people being denied extra years on their lives despite paying their contributions would get these drugs and those that cost the NHS through stupidity and selfishness will have to pay more than those who don't
Posted by: susan, Abingdon on 12:47pm Thu 7 Aug 08
If people need the drug and it helps and give a better life and it been proven what the price on life.
If people need the drug and it helps and give a better life and it been proven what the price on life.
Posted by: andrew stone, London on 2:08pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Each local hospital effectively takes the price that Pfizer state - which is approximately close to "List" price I would suggest. The cost model that NICE have chosen to use in the calculations is also very much open to opinion - varying in yearly costs depending which "finger in the sky" model used. this is a totally inhumane and unjust decision that will hopefully be exposed in the next few weeks with the nation's support.
Each local hospital effectively takes the price that Pfizer state - which is approximately close to "List" price I would suggest. The cost model that NICE have chosen to use in the calculations is also very much open to opinion - varying in yearly costs depending which "finger in the sky" model used. this is a totally inhumane and unjust decision that will hopefully be exposed in the next few weeks with the nation's support.
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 2:17pm Thu 7 Aug 08
By it from India?
Posted by: Sally, BBL on 3:21pm Thu 7 Aug 08
I am in total agreement with M.
I am in total agreement with M.
Posted by: M, Oxford on 3:47pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Have a read of http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/health/754492
7.stm to see the source for some of the plagiarised parts of this article.
Jason Collie:
[quote]Charities expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.[/quote]
BBC
[quote]Charities and some experts expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.[/quote]
JC
[quote]The draft guidance, which is subject to appeal, rejects the drugs, saying they are not cost effective for patients with advanced and/or metastatic kidney cancer.[/quote]
BBC
[quote]The draft guidelines for England and Wales, which are subject to appeal, recommended people already on the drugs should be able to continue therapy.[/quote]
At least change the words a bit more!
Have a read of http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/health/754492
7.stm to see the source for some of the plagiarised parts of this article.
Jason Collie:
Charities expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.
BBC
Charities and some experts expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.
JC
The draft guidance, which is subject to appeal, rejects the drugs, saying they are not cost effective for patients with advanced and/or metastatic kidney cancer.
BBC
The draft guidelines for England and Wales, which are subject to appeal, recommended people already on the drugs should be able to continue therapy.
At least change the words a bit more!
Posted by: CB, Oxfordshire on 11:36am Fri 8 Aug 08
What has happened to all the money saved by NHS, by using 'generic drugs' instead of branded?.
My GP totally confused many when pescriptions changed (or appeared to change), when in fact the cheaper versions were used.
What has happened to all the money saved by NHS, by using 'generic drugs' instead of branded?.
My GP totally confused many when pescriptions changed (or appeared to change), when in fact the cheaper versions were used.
Posted by: The Alster, Dublin on 10:56pm Fri 8 Aug 08
"NICE"?Who thought that name up?
"NICE"?Who thought that name up?
Posted by: PA, PA on 4:40pm Wed 13 Aug 08
[quote][bold]M[/bold] wrote:
Have a read of http://news.bbc.co.u k/1/hi/health/754492 7.stm to see the source for some of the plagiarised parts of this article. Jason Collie: [quote]Charities expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.[/quote] BBC [quote]Charities and some experts expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.[/quote] JC [quote]The draft guidance, which is subject to appeal, rejects the drugs, saying they are not cost effective for patients with advanced and/or metastatic kidney cancer.[/quote] BBC [quote]The draft guidelines for England and Wales, which are subject to appeal, recommended people already on the drugs should be able to continue therapy.[/quote] At least change the words a bit more! [/quote] ever heard of PA?
M wrote:
Have a read of http://news.bbc.co.u k/1/hi/health/754492 7.stm to see the source for some of the plagiarised parts of this article. Jason Collie: Charities expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.
BBC Charities and some experts expressed outrage at the decision, saying it left patients only one treatment option - interferon - to which many do not respond.
JC The draft guidance, which is subject to appeal, rejects the drugs, saying they are not cost effective for patients with advanced and/or metastatic kidney cancer.
BBC The draft guidelines for England and Wales, which are subject to appeal, recommended people already on the drugs should be able to continue therapy.
At least change the words a bit more!
ever heard of PA?
Posted by: Andy, Pompey on 3:55pm Thu 14 Aug 08
I too despair when drugs are too expensive.
I too despair when drugs are too expensive.
Posted by: L, Midlands on 11:12am Tue 19 Aug 08
I find this all so hard to believe - these poor sufferers have enough to deal with actually coping with the illness and shouldn't have to worry about whether the NHS will pay for the treatment - makes me so cross when a relative of mine died from Kidney Cancer 5 years ago and paid his taxes etc for 50 years and got nothing in retuurn!!!!! What sort of society are we living in!!!!
I find this all so hard to believe - these poor sufferers have enough to deal with actually coping with the illness and shouldn't have to worry about whether the NHS will pay for the treatment - makes me so cross when a relative of mine died from Kidney Cancer 5 years ago and paid his taxes etc for 50 years and got nothing in retuurn!!!!! What sort of society are we living in!!!!
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