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17/02/2006
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. However, the drug's manufacturer, Roche, has claimed that the drug halves the risk of the aggressive HER-2 form of the cancer, which affects between 20 - 30% of sufferers, from returning.
Herceptin was licensed for the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer in March 2002. Roche has now submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) to allow the drug to be used to treat patients in the early stages of the disease.
Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence will also be fast-tracked. The government has said that the drug will be fast-tracked in England once an early stage license has been received.
A spokesperson for Roche said today: "We are very pleased to have been able to progress this application so rapidly and commend the medical community and regulatory authorities worldwide for their close collaboration and continued support."
The announcement comes after a woman lost her legal bid to be provided the drug, which can cost as much as £21,000 for a year's treatment, on the NHS.
Mother-of-three Ann Marie Rogers lost her High Court battle on Wednesday.
Swindon Primary Care Trust refused to pay for the drug for Ms Rogers, saying that her case was not "exceptional" and that they were acting in accordance with government guidelines.
Ms Rogers, 53, has early stage cancer. During the hearing, she told the court if she did not receive the drug it would be like being given a "death sentence".
NHS funding of Herceptin has been criticised as a "postcode lottery", with some health authorities paying for all eligible applicants, while other fund only exceptional cases.
Last year, Barbara Clarke and Elaine Barber received Herceptin after threatening to take their primary care trusts to court.
(KMcA)
Herceptin is currently used to treat patients in the advanced stages of breast cancer. However, the drug's manufacturer, Roche, has claimed that the drug halves the risk of the aggressive HER-2 form of the cancer, which affects between 20 - 30% of sufferers, from returning.
Herceptin was licensed for the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer in March 2002. Roche has now submitted an application to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) to allow the drug to be used to treat patients in the early stages of the disease.
Guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence will also be fast-tracked. The government has said that the drug will be fast-tracked in England once an early stage license has been received.
A spokesperson for Roche said today: "We are very pleased to have been able to progress this application so rapidly and commend the medical community and regulatory authorities worldwide for their close collaboration and continued support."
The announcement comes after a woman lost her legal bid to be provided the drug, which can cost as much as £21,000 for a year's treatment, on the NHS.
Mother-of-three Ann Marie Rogers lost her High Court battle on Wednesday.
Swindon Primary Care Trust refused to pay for the drug for Ms Rogers, saying that her case was not "exceptional" and that they were acting in accordance with government guidelines.
Ms Rogers, 53, has early stage cancer. During the hearing, she told the court if she did not receive the drug it would be like being given a "death sentence".
NHS funding of Herceptin has been criticised as a "postcode lottery", with some health authorities paying for all eligible applicants, while other fund only exceptional cases.
Last year, Barbara Clarke and Elaine Barber received Herceptin after threatening to take their primary care trusts to court.
(KMcA)
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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.
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.
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.
06 February 2006
Cancer drug refusal branded a 'death sentence'
A woman who has launched a landmark legal challenge to get breast cancer drug Herceptin, has compared her NHS Trust's refusal to provide the drug as a "death sentence". Ann Marie Rogers, 54, from Swindon launched the case after being refused the drug by Swindon Primary Care Trust, which is only licensed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
Cancer drug refusal branded a 'death sentence'
A woman who has launched a landmark legal challenge to get breast cancer drug Herceptin, has compared her NHS Trust's refusal to provide the drug as a "death sentence". Ann Marie Rogers, 54, from Swindon launched the case after being refused the drug by Swindon Primary Care Trust, which is only licensed for the treatment of advanced breast cancer.
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