Scotland fights to keep Alimta

The Glasgow Herald, reported on 26th April 2007 that medical experts have joined the fight to stop an English ruling denying Scottish cancer patients a life-prolonging drug.

The drug Alimta, is the only licensed treatment for meothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

The drug was approved for NHS use in Scotland in 2005. Meanwhile the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), which advises English health trusts, is carrying out a more detailed study of the treatment, which will be published this autumn. A public draft of its report recommends against prescribing the drug.

This judgment has automatically triggered a review of Scotland’s decision and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland, (QIS) has indicated that if nothing changes, Nice’s opinion will prevail.
Dr David Dunlop, head of chemotherapy in Glasgow, says in a letter to the Scottish Parliament: "I find it staggering that an English healthcare bureaucracy (Nice) will make a decision that will deny Scottish patients access to a drug which our executive assessed and agreed was appropriate." He adds that he and many other Scottish oncologists have seen the benefits of Alimta in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Referring to experts consulted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who felt Nice's decision should be accepted, Dr Dunlop adds: "Their opinion is not representative of the vast majority of oncologists in this country."
His comments clash with that of his employer, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Tom Divers, health authority chief executive, has told the Scottish Parliament he feels it would be unwise not to follow the English advice.

In Scotland, where asbestos was used heavily, especially in Clydeside shipyards, rates of mesothelioma are 31% higher than the UK average. Glasgow's rate is more than double.

Pressure is growing for Scotland to safeguard Alimta ahead of the elections. Clydebank Asbestos Group is calling on party leaders to make their position on Alimta clear. Lilly UK, which makes the drug, commissioned a survey involving 54 election candidates. Of these 69% said Nice's position should not be allowed to supersede Scottish guidance.

A spokesman for NHS QIS said: "When the final Nice report is published later this year we will make appropriate recommendations."

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