Makes The Medicine Go Round
A scottish NHS patient, battling Kidney Cancer was denied treatment that would in turn extend his life.
Michael Egan, 63, of Annan, Dumfriesshire, a sufferer of the disease for over a year, lived in the hope that he could receive the required drug.
Like many other patients yesterday Michael was left devastated when the NHS in Scotland SMC (Scottish Medicines Consortium) announced that the drug would not be prescribed because it is too expensive, despite the confirmation from Egan's doctor that the drug would be readily available.
Speaking from his hospital bed Mr Egan said " I think it's terrible. They have said it costs too much, which i think is not acceptable...I don't know what we will do."
The drug 'Sutant', which prevents cancer cells from growing and mulitplying, as well as preventing blood vessels from developing and becoming tumerous, is around 65% effective and in Mr Egan's case would prolong his life for up to two years. Yet costs around £23,000 per patient.
Mr Egan's son, Matt, a public health researcher said he was 'devastated and angry' at the decision- "the drug is effective and improves quality of life. It seems to me the price of the drug is judged to be valued more than the life of my dad."
The drug was refused as a secondary treatment earlier this year and now its latest rejection for first line treatment comes despite the fact its price has been cut by its manufacturer by 5%. The company are also willing to provide the first round of treatment, saving patients around £4000.
Matt Egan and the family doctor have applied for funding for the drug, in reaction to the SMC's decision, but this since has been rejected. He and his family are now planning to raise funds for the drug through charity events.
Dr Duncan McLaren, a consultant oncologist at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, said he hoped to work with the SMC to find a solution to help funding in cases such as Mr Egan's as quickly as possible. " For 20 year, we have had to work with drugs that at the most, would provide a three-month improvement, Sutent offers a chance to dramatically improve response rates, demonstrating either tumour shrinkage or disease stabalistation".
James Whale, radio presenter and founder of the James Whale fund for Kidney Cancer said : "SMC has effectively issued a death sentence to the 660 patients living with Kidney Cancer in Scotland."
A truly disappointed Spokesperson for the SMC stated "after analysing the manufacturers submission, we feel there are significant uncertainties in evidence and calculations, leading us to conclude Sutant's high cost in relation to its benefits has not been justified"
Like many other patients yesterday Michael was left devastated when the NHS in Scotland SMC (Scottish Medicines Consortium) announced that the drug would not be prescribed because it is too expensive, despite the confirmation from Egan's doctor that the drug would be readily available.
Speaking from his hospital bed Mr Egan said " I think it's terrible. They have said it costs too much, which i think is not acceptable...I don't know what we will do."
The drug 'Sutant', which prevents cancer cells from growing and mulitplying, as well as preventing blood vessels from developing and becoming tumerous, is around 65% effective and in Mr Egan's case would prolong his life for up to two years. Yet costs around £23,000 per patient.
Mr Egan's son, Matt, a public health researcher said he was 'devastated and angry' at the decision- "the drug is effective and improves quality of life. It seems to me the price of the drug is judged to be valued more than the life of my dad."
The drug was refused as a secondary treatment earlier this year and now its latest rejection for first line treatment comes despite the fact its price has been cut by its manufacturer by 5%. The company are also willing to provide the first round of treatment, saving patients around £4000.
Matt Egan and the family doctor have applied for funding for the drug, in reaction to the SMC's decision, but this since has been rejected. He and his family are now planning to raise funds for the drug through charity events.
Dr Duncan McLaren, a consultant oncologist at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, said he hoped to work with the SMC to find a solution to help funding in cases such as Mr Egan's as quickly as possible. " For 20 year, we have had to work with drugs that at the most, would provide a three-month improvement, Sutent offers a chance to dramatically improve response rates, demonstrating either tumour shrinkage or disease stabalistation".
James Whale, radio presenter and founder of the James Whale fund for Kidney Cancer said : "SMC has effectively issued a death sentence to the 660 patients living with Kidney Cancer in Scotland."
A truly disappointed Spokesperson for the SMC stated "after analysing the manufacturers submission, we feel there are significant uncertainties in evidence and calculations, leading us to conclude Sutant's high cost in relation to its benefits has not been justified"