Victory for Mesothelioma Sufferers

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has reversed an earlier decision and decided that UK mesothelioma sufferers should now have access on the NHS to "Alimta", the only licensed drug that pressure groups feel can prolong life and alleviate the distressing symptoms of mesothelioma.

Pleural Mesothelioma is a form of Cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac lining of the lungs. Most people who develop pleural mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled Asbestos particles.
'Alimta', (pemetrexed disodium) is not a cure for malignant pleural mesothelioma, however, clinical trials have shown it to be effective in prolonging life and alleviating distressing symptoms.

The NICE Appraisal Committee only a few months ago gave an interim ruling against the continued use of Alimta. Despite the evidence of clear benefits to mesothelioma sufferers, they were not convinced of the cost effectiveness of the drug, and at the time could not recommend it as a treatment option for malignant pleural mesothelioma. This recent decision represents a dramatic turnaround from the position taken just a short while ago by NICE, but what must have been an agonisingly long time for mesothelioma sufferes.
Mesothelioma is contracted almost exclusively as a result of exposure to asbestos fibres. Prior to today's announcement, people in many parts of the country were deprived of this valuable treatment.

Pressure from Unions and support groups and sympathetic MP’s tipped the balance in achieving this very sensible result.

The Health, Safety & Environment Department welcomes this decision, and are pleased the support of the TUC, CWU, CWU supported MPs and other Trade Unions and campaigning bodies has aided this just cause in which  common sense has prevailed with mesothelioma sufferers receiving, at least some relief from this most painful of deadly Asbestos related diseases.

NHS Primary care trusts will be notified that the drug can be made available to patients via GPs and Hospitals immediately.

Asbestos has been the main cause of occupational ill health from about 1950 onwards and is still the greatest single work-related cause of death from ill health. Past exposure is now responsible for about 4000 people dying from asbestos-related cancers every year in the UK including former CWU members. This figure is expected to rise over the next ten years and then decline.

Source: CWU LTB670/07

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