Charity slams ‘grossly unfair’ decision on prostate cancer treatment

By The Press Association13th June 2016News ScotlandCancer, End Of Life Care, News Scotland, Palliative Care, Prostate Cancer

Health campaigners have said it is “grossly unfair” that men with advanced prostate cancer in Scotland will not be able to get a treatment on the NHS that could extend their lives.

The charity Prostate Cancer UK hit out after the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) rejected cabazitaxel chemotherapy for routine use by the NHS.

It said the treatment had been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for sufferers in England and Wales, describing the SMC’s stance as “baffling”.

SMC chairman Professor Jonathan Fox said: “Unfortunately, the committee was not able to recommend cabazitaxel for prostate cancer as the overall health benefits offered by the medicine did not justify its cost.

“Discussions around next steps have been held between SMC and the company, and we would welcome a resubmission reflecting the points raised in our assessment.”

Prostate cancer can affect one in 11 men in Scotland, making it the most common cancer for males.

Heather Blake (pictured), of Prostate Cancer UK, said for some with the disease, cabazitaxel chemotherapy is “the only remaining treatment choice after other treatments have stopped working”.

She added: “Today’s decision robs these men in Scotland of precious extra time with loved ones while men in a similar situation in England and Wales are given access.

“This is grossly unfair and baffling given that the information presented at both appraisals was the same.

“We therefore urge the SMC and the manufacturer to do everything in their power to get this treatment approved.”

Rob Jones, professor of clinical cancer research at the Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, said: “Despite recent advances in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, clinical trials conducted in Glasgow and elsewhere have demonstrated that cabazitaxel is a life-prolonging treatment for some patients.”

While the SMC rejected cabazitaxel, it approved new treatments for advanced Parkinson’s disease, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and severe asthma among others.

Katherine Crawford, of the charity Parkinson’s UK, said she was “delighted” the SMC had given the go-ahead for co-careldopa – which is also known as Duodopa – to be used by the NHS.

She added: “Parkinson’s specialists will now be able to prescribe Duodopa without having to apply to their NHS board each time. This means fewer delays and less potential for a postcode lottery.

“Duodopa can enable people with advanced Parkinson’s to live independently, to socialise and take part in activities they enjoy again.”