Western Mail (KC) 06-Oct-08
From Kidney Cancer Resource
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Family anger as NHS refuses cancer drug funding
by: Madeleine Brindley
A FAMILY has spoken of their anger after the NHS has refused funding for a life-prolonging cancer drug.
Trevor Evans from Rhayader in Powys has been told that he does not meet the criteria to receive the kidney cancer drug Nexavar, because he is not an “exceptional case”.
The 57-year-old grandfather of seven, is not receiving any treatment at the moment despite cancer spreading from his kidney to his bowel, lungs and liver.
His daughter Sarah Hope, a part-time play school assistant, said: “There is no cure, but we want him to have extra time with his grandchildren.”
Mr Evans, a former car mechanic, was diagnosed with kidney cancer in November 2005 and underwent surgery to remove his right kidney in Hereford.
A scan in June 2007 revealed tumours had spread to other parts of his body.
He was initially prescribed the drug interferon, but he suffered severe side-effects and he was put on an alternative course of treatment, which required him to make a 200-mile round journey to Cheltenham Hospital every week for three months.
When the drug failed to work Mr Evans’ consultant suggested Nexavar – also known as sorafenib – and he applied for funding from Powys LHB.
The drug works by stopping signals between cancer cells and prevents them growing their own blood vessels.
Clinical trials have shown that it can slow down the growth of kidney cancers that have spread.
But the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued interim guidance stating that Nexavar and three other kidney cancer drugs are not recommended for use on the NHS.
The All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group said last year that Nexavar is not cost-effective.
It made the decision – which will be superseded by Nice’s final appraisal later this year – when more than 100 patients in Wales with kidney cancer would have been eligible for the drug, at a cost of £680,000.
Mrs Hope said it took more than 12 weeks for Powys LHB to make a decision about funding for the drug.
She said: “We received a letter on September 26 from Powys LHB telling us of their decision not to fund the drug as our father is not ‘exceptional’.
“We would like to know what their definition of exceptional is – during the 12 weeks of waiting to hear, his state of mind and health has deteriorated considerably.”
The mother of three, who also lives in Rhayader, added: “ It has been suggested that we pay for the drug ourselves, which is something we can’t afford to do and something we feel we shouldn’t have to do.
“If we could afford to pay for the drug we would also have to pay for scans, blood tests, everything – the NHS then turns its back on you.
“We are disgusted that Nice has restricted the use of the effective cancer treatments.
“We feel that the NHS has the money but doesn’t prioritise particularly well, as it is said that the NHS spends £300m a year on tattoo removal.”
A spokeswoman for Powys Local Health Board said: “We can confirm that an application for sorafenib has been made to the LHB. This is currently being dealt with in accordance with the LHB’s individual patient commissioning process.”
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