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05/10/2005
Breast cancer drug to be fast-tracked
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has announced that all breast cancer sufferers will have the opportunity to be treated with the drug, Herceptin.
From Wednesday, all women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer will have the opportunity to be treated with the drug, which is currently only used on patients with advanced breast cancer or those who are terminally ill.
Ms Hewitt said that Herceptin could save around 1,000 lives per year at an annual cost of around £100 million.
The announcement comes two days after former nurse, Barbara Clark, won her battle to receive Herceptin treatment on the NHS.
She had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, but could not receive the treatment because the disease was not terminal.
The National Cancer Director Professor Mike Richards is meeting the medical directors of the NHS Cancer Networks on Thursday to discuss the introduction of the new testing service.
Last month, pharmaceutical company, Roche, which manufactures Herceptin, said that an application for a licence for the drug would be made to the European Medicines MEA in February 2006. They anticipated that a decision would be made by July 2006 at the earliest.
Ms Hewitt said that as soon as the license was received the drug would be fast-tracked throughout the NHS. She said: “Herceptin has the potential to save many women's lives and I want to see it in widespread use on the NHS. Today, I am asking Professor Mike Richards to ensure that the facilities are put in place to enable women who require it to be tested. I want the licence for Herceptin to be granted as quickly as possible, without compromising people's safety, and to be available within weeks of the licence being given.
“I share the huge frustration of many women about the delays in getting Herceptin licensed. I am determined to take action, and this represents a major step forward in our fight against cancer.”
(KMcA/SP)
From Wednesday, all women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer will have the opportunity to be treated with the drug, which is currently only used on patients with advanced breast cancer or those who are terminally ill.
Ms Hewitt said that Herceptin could save around 1,000 lives per year at an annual cost of around £100 million.
The announcement comes two days after former nurse, Barbara Clark, won her battle to receive Herceptin treatment on the NHS.
She had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, but could not receive the treatment because the disease was not terminal.
The National Cancer Director Professor Mike Richards is meeting the medical directors of the NHS Cancer Networks on Thursday to discuss the introduction of the new testing service.
Last month, pharmaceutical company, Roche, which manufactures Herceptin, said that an application for a licence for the drug would be made to the European Medicines MEA in February 2006. They anticipated that a decision would be made by July 2006 at the earliest.
Ms Hewitt said that as soon as the license was received the drug would be fast-tracked throughout the NHS. She said: “Herceptin has the potential to save many women's lives and I want to see it in widespread use on the NHS. Today, I am asking Professor Mike Richards to ensure that the facilities are put in place to enable women who require it to be tested. I want the licence for Herceptin to be granted as quickly as possible, without compromising people's safety, and to be available within weeks of the licence being given.
“I share the huge frustration of many women about the delays in getting Herceptin licensed. I am determined to take action, and this represents a major step forward in our fight against cancer.”
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 June 2006
Herceptin approved for early breast cancer use on NHS
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been approved for the treatment of early stage breast cancer on the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Herceptin is effective on the HER2 positive form of breast cancer, which forms around 20% of all breast cancer cases.
Herceptin approved for early breast cancer use on NHS
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been approved for the treatment of early stage breast cancer on the NHS by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Herceptin is effective on the HER2 positive form of breast cancer, which forms around 20% of all breast cancer cases.
17 February 2006
Herceptin manufacturer applies for license
The manufacturer of breast cancer drug Herceptin has applied for a license to allow the drug to be used to treat patients in the early stages of the disease. Herceptin is currently used to treat patients in the advanced stages of breast cancer.
Herceptin manufacturer applies for license
The manufacturer of breast cancer drug Herceptin has applied for a license to allow the drug to be used to treat patients in the early stages of the disease. Herceptin is currently used to treat patients in the advanced stages of breast cancer.
24 May 2006
Herceptin granted UK license
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been licensed for use in the early stages of the disease in the UK by the European Medicines Agency. The drug, which is already used in Britain to treat the later stages of breast cancer, will now be appraised by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to see if it is safe and cost-effective.
Herceptin granted UK license
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been licensed for use in the early stages of the disease in the UK by the European Medicines Agency. The drug, which is already used in Britain to treat the later stages of breast cancer, will now be appraised by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to see if it is safe and cost-effective.
12 April 2006
Breast cancer patient wins Herceptin court battle
A breast cancer patient has won an appeal to receive the drug Herceptin on the NHS. Ann Marie Rogers, 54, from Swindon went to the Court of Appeal after the High Court ruled that Swindon Primary Care Trust had not acted unlawfully in refusing to give her the drug.
Breast cancer patient wins Herceptin court battle
A breast cancer patient has won an appeal to receive the drug Herceptin on the NHS. Ann Marie Rogers, 54, from Swindon went to the Court of Appeal after the High Court ruled that Swindon Primary Care Trust had not acted unlawfully in refusing to give her the drug.
07 February 2006
Breast cancer sufferer faces wait on drug ruling
A breast cancer sufferer will have to wait to learn the result of her legal battle against the NHS' decision not to provide her with the drug, Herceptin. Ann Marie Rogers, 54, from Swindon, launched her case after being refused the drug, which is only licensed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer, by Swindon Primary Care Trust.
Breast cancer sufferer faces wait on drug ruling
A breast cancer sufferer will have to wait to learn the result of her legal battle against the NHS' decision not to provide her with the drug, Herceptin. Ann Marie Rogers, 54, from Swindon, launched her case after being refused the drug, which is only licensed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer, by Swindon Primary Care Trust.
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