Posted by Michael Wonder on 02 Apr 2017
Were NHS chiefs right to deny 'miracle' life-giving pancreatic cancer drug? As NICE reviews Abraxane, the Mail reveals there were concerns the study results were 'inappropriately rosy' three years ago
2 April 2017 - Abraxane doubled life expectancy of terminally ill pancreatic cancer patients.
It was hailed by campaigners as a ‘miracle’ drug and the first true breakthrough in treatment of deadly pancreatic cancer since the 1970s. Abraxane doubled the life expectancy of terminally ill patients, giving them precious extra months with their loved ones. Some patients even survived for years when previously they had been given just months to live.
So the news in late 2015 that the NHS watchdog NICE had rejected Abraxane on cost grounds – despite having given it its approval a year earlier – was understandably met with anger from patient groups.
Such was the outcry that manufacturers Celgene agreed last year that it would lower the price of the £28,000 a year treatment, and NICE last week confirmed to The Mail on Sunday that is now reviewing its decision. A new ruling is due to be announced in November – a move welcomed by leading charity Pancreatic Cancer UK, which is pushing for Abraxane’s reintroduction.
