Welsh green light for pancreatic cancer drug

22nd September 2014 – Patients in Wales with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other parts of the body will be eligible for a new treatment option after the Welsh Government opted to make the life-prolonging medication nab-paclitaxel available on the NHS.

The decision means that Wales is the only country in the UK to have approved the chemotherapy drug for eligible patients on the NHS.

Nab-paclitaxel is marketed by Celgene and also known by its brand name Abraxane.

Extending life

Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed late meaning that many patients may only live for up to 6 months after diagnosis. In trials, nab-paclitaxel, in combination with standard chemotherapy drug gemcitabine, has been shown to extend life by an average of 2.1 months.

The decision to fund Abraxane follows a positive recommendation from the independent All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) earlier this month.

Announcing the move, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford says in a statement: "Following the appraisal of Abraxane by AWMSG , I am pleased to announce we will be making the medicine available on the Welsh NHS to those who are eligible to receive it.

"I am proud that in Wales we have a system in place where patients get access to proven and effective treatments for cancer and other life-threatening conditions."

Not recommended in England

The decision represents a departure from the usual protocol in which Wales follows the lead set by the English health rationing body, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Earlier this month NICE issued draft guidance saying nab-paclitaxel should not receive NHS funding because it has limited benefits compared to current treatments and is more costly. However, nab-paclitaxel is currently available via the Cancer Drugs Fund in England.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium is currently evaluating the medication and is due to issue advice in the first quarter of 2015.

Nab-paclitaxel is not routinely available to NHS patients in Northern Ireland.

'An important step forward'

Commenting on the decision by the Welsh health authorities, Alex Ford, chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK says in a statement: "We are delighted that the Minister has ratified the recommendation to make Abraxane routinely available as a first-line treatment to eligible patients on the NHS.

"This is an important step forward for pancreatic cancer patients in Wales, as there are currently very few treatment options available. The decision gives clinicians another weapon in their armoury to help fight the disease and, whilst patients will still need to meet certain medical eligibility criteria, such as being fit enough to tolerate the treatment regime, it means more patients will get access to life-extending drugs."

She adds: "We now want to see Scotland, Northern Ireland and England follow suit so that many more patients and their loved ones will also be able to benefit from this treatment."