A new cancer drug, which has been described as having “spectacular” results, will not be available on the NHS due to cost.
The immunotherapy drug, which teaches the body to attack tumours, has until recently been free to access on the NHS.
Research shows the results on those who have undergone the treatment are excellent, with experts describing the drug as “ground-breaking”.
In some patients the tumour disappeared completely, effectively curing them of cancer.
In the most deadly forms of cancer, including lung and skin cancer, there were significant increases in survival rates.
For patients with inoperable lung cancer there was a doubling in one year survival, with doctors suggesting the therapy could extend 12,000 lives every year.
Despite its success, the drug will no longer be available on the NHS because it has been granted an official European licence. This means the NHS will have to pay for the drug, which costs around £6,000 a month.
“Total shambles”
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is not expected to decide whether to make the treatment available for NHS patients until May 2016. In the meantime it can only be accessed privately or as part of a study.
Charities have criticised the move, saying the system of drug funding in Britain is a “total shambles”.
Chief executive of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Paula Chadwick, said: “This drug is a game-changer for people with lung cancer – it offered hope to people who never had it before. What is happening now is an absolute disgrace.”
“The system of drug funding has become a total shambles, and these patients do not have time to wait, they are caught in the crossfire.”
Emlyn Samuel, senior policy manager at Cancer Research UK, described the drug as a “promising new immunotherapy”, saying: “It’s important that patients can access these evidence-based drugs, so we can hope that it’s considered for routine use on the NHS as soon as possible.”
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