Cancer drug Herceptin to be made available in NI

Health Minister Shaun Woodward has confirmed that the cancer drug, Herceptin, will be made available to women with early stage breast cancer where it is "clinically appropriate".

The Minister said that there were significant safety issues with Herceptin, in particular the risk of heart failure, and that clinicians must give full consideration to the risks and benefits of the drug and make patients fully aware of all the risks.

However the Minister said that it was "understandable" that anyone diagnosed with breast cancer wants the best treatment.

"The decision to fully licence Herceptin for early stage breast cancer has not been made. Indeed it is not fully established from the data which has been published, whether Herceptin is indicative of a cure. There are also safety issues to consider, in particular, concerns about increased incidents of cardiac failure," Mr Woodward said.

"My view as Health Minister is that the decision to prescribe Herceptin should always be a clinical decision. Clearly clinicians must give full consideration to the risks and benefits associated with this treatment for women with early breast cancer. I earnestly hope that Herceptin will turn out to be the drug many women hope it is. But clearly it is too early to be sure despite the encouraging signs."

The Ulster Cancer Foundation’s Alan George said: “The Ulster Cancer Foundation welcomes the decision made by the Health Minister, Shaun Woodward that some women in the early stages of Breast Cancer in Northern Ireland will now benefit from Herceptin, following consultation from their Oncologist.

"Reports have shown that up to 25% of newly diagnosed women with Breast Cancer may benefit from this treatment.

"Although Herceptin is expensive, the Ulster Cancer Foundation believe that the cost should in no way be a barrier for those women who would benefit from this treatment."

Anyone who is concerned about any aspect of Cancer can contact the Ulster Cancer Foundation’s Freephone helpline on 0800 7833 339 and speak confidentially with an experienced nurse.

Sinn Féin Mid-Ulster MP Martin McGuinness welcomed today's decision and said it comes after a campaign by a number of local women suffering from breast cancer who had been denied the drug.

"Health provision must be on the basis of clinical need not the fiscal demands being placed upon the system by central government," Mr McGuinness said.

(MB/GB)