Myeloma UK poll shows treatment information ‘held back’ from myeloma patients Tuesday 26 August 2008 One in four doctors choose not to discuss life extending cancer treatments that are awaiting NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) approval with their myeloma patients. A poll that was commissioned by Myeloma UK earlier this year also revealed that 75 percent of doctors receive no guidance on discussing the availability of these treatments with their patients and a fifth of doctors believe that prescribing new treatment options for myeloma is completely ‘out of their hands’. The survey, conducted with 103 myeloma specialists in England, Wales and Scotland, showed that lengthy NHS bureaucracy puts cancer patients’ lives at risk with three-quarters of doctors reporting a delay of over a month when applying for funding for myeloma treatments awaiting or undergoing a NICE appraisal. In addition, the majority of doctors (74 percent) reported to have been in a situation where applications for their preferred treatment option were rejected by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) with cost cited as the main reason for the knock back.¹ Dr Atul Mehta, consultant haematologist at the Royal Free Hospital, London, commented: “These survey findings reveal the dismal state of UK cancer management. Despite significant advances in the treatment of myeloma, such as Revlimid, the majority of patients cannot get access to new life-extending drugs until they have been appraised and approved by NICE – a process that can take up to three years from when the drug is first licensed in the UK.” NICE is currently reviewing a number of treatments for myeloma including Revlimid (lenalidomide), a novel oral therapy. Revlimid gained its UK license in June 2007 and NICE is expected to make its decision in 2009. Until then, patients in the UK will struggle to get access to this treatment due to NHS funding processes for treatments not yet approved by NICE. However, Revlimid is widely available across Europe and fast becoming the new standard of care. Eric Low, Chief Executive of Myeloma UK, added: “It is appalling that myeloma patients cannot get access to life extending treatments, which are widely available throughout Europe. Post code prescribing is rife in the UK with some patients getting access to life extending treatments ahead of a NICE decision whilst others are left to die. Myeloma UK wants to engage with the Department of Health to find a solution to this growing issue.” The ‘Treating Myeloma in England, Wales & Scotland 2008’ poll was commissioned by Myeloma UK and carried out by Eggington Research Associates Ltd. press release >> Treating myeloma in England, Wales & Scotland 2008 summary report ¹ ‘Treating Myeloma in England, Wales & Scotland’ 2008’ conducted by Eggington Research Associates Ltd.
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