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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Deal reached on NHS myeloma drug | Deal reached on NHS myeloma drug |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Drug advisers have changed guidance rejecting NHS use of a bone marrow cancer drug in England and Wales. | Drug advisers have changed guidance rejecting NHS use of a bone marrow cancer drug in England and Wales. |
| The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence had rejected lenalidomide for multiple myeloma because it was not cost effective. | The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence had rejected lenalidomide for multiple myeloma because it was not cost effective. |
| But revised draft guidance has agreed access to the treatment under a cost-sharing deal where the drug company picks up the cost after two years. | But revised draft guidance has agreed access to the treatment under a cost-sharing deal where the drug company picks up the cost after two years. |
| There are nearly 3,800 new cases of multiple myeloma in the UK every year. | There are nearly 3,800 new cases of multiple myeloma in the UK every year. |
| This is the first guidance from NICE to be revised after new rules designed to be more flexible in judging treatments offering survival benefits in terminal conditions. | This is the first guidance from NICE to be revised after new rules designed to be more flexible in judging treatments offering survival benefits in terminal conditions. |
| The latest recommendation is being put out for consultation until 20th February and as such the decision has yet to be finalised. | The latest recommendation is being put out for consultation until 20th February and as such the decision has yet to be finalised. |
| I applaud the efforts of the myeloma community, the manufacturer, NICE and the Department of Health in pursuing this win for patients Eric Low, Myeloma UK | I applaud the efforts of the myeloma community, the manufacturer, NICE and the Department of Health in pursuing this win for patients Eric Low, Myeloma UK |
| NICE has recommended that lenalidomide, also known as Revlimid, can be used in combination with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients who have received two or more prior therapies. | NICE has recommended that lenalidomide, also known as Revlimid, can be used in combination with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma patients who have received two or more prior therapies. |
| Under the agreement, the NHS in England and Wales will cover the cost of the drug for the first two years - a total of 26 treatment cycles, each lasting 28 days. | Under the agreement, the NHS in England and Wales will cover the cost of the drug for the first two years - a total of 26 treatment cycles, each lasting 28 days. |
| In anyone who remains on treatment for longer than two years, the manufacturer, Celgene, will pick up the tab - expected to be around 17% of patients. | In anyone who remains on treatment for longer than two years, the manufacturer, Celgene, will pick up the tab - expected to be around 17% of patients. |
| It comes after the makers of another bone marrow cancer drug, Velcade, agreed a refund scheme with NICE. | It comes after the makers of another bone marrow cancer drug, Velcade, agreed a refund scheme with NICE. |
| In Scotland, advisers have rejected use of lenalidomide and cannot yet agree to a cost-sharing agreement because the issue is being debated by parliament. | In Scotland, advisers have rejected use of lenalidomide and cannot yet agree to a cost-sharing agreement because the issue is being debated by parliament. |
| Lenalidomide costs the NHS £208 a pill - which is around £36,000 a year. | Lenalidomide costs the NHS £208 a pill - which is around £36,000 a year. |
| Benefits | Benefits |
| Professor Peter Littlejohns, clinical and public health director at NICE said the drug had fitted the updated criteria for considering the benefits of a life-extending, end-of-life treatment. | Professor Peter Littlejohns, clinical and public health director at NICE said the drug had fitted the updated criteria for considering the benefits of a life-extending, end-of-life treatment. |
| Dr Steve Schey: 'This drug is effective where chemotherapy is not' | |
| "The manufacturer of lenalidomide, Celgene, has proposed an arrangement where they would bear the costs of lenalidomide beyond two years for people whose disease had not progressed at this time. | |
| "Consequently the committee recommended lenalidomide, within its licensed indication, as an option for the treatment of multiple myeloma in people who have received two or more prior therapies." | "Consequently the committee recommended lenalidomide, within its licensed indication, as an option for the treatment of multiple myeloma in people who have received two or more prior therapies." |
| Eric Lowe chief executive of Myeloma UK said it was good example of all stakeholders taking responsibility, overcoming barriers and finding a workable solution. | Eric Lowe chief executive of Myeloma UK said it was good example of all stakeholders taking responsibility, overcoming barriers and finding a workable solution. |
| "I am delighted that the pressure Myeloma UK applied to the manufacturer helped bring about the reversal of the original decision. | "I am delighted that the pressure Myeloma UK applied to the manufacturer helped bring about the reversal of the original decision. |
| "I applaud the efforts of the myeloma community, the manufacturer, NICE and the Department of Health in pursuing this win for patients." | "I applaud the efforts of the myeloma community, the manufacturer, NICE and the Department of Health in pursuing this win for patients." |
| However, he criticised Scotland for being slow to react. | However, he criticised Scotland for being slow to react. |
| "Scotland need to get their act together and catch up quickly." | "Scotland need to get their act together and catch up quickly." |