Risks 29th Jan 2008 reorted that groups supporting families affected by asbestos disease have welcomed the approval of the most effective drug treatment for the cancer mesothelioma.
On 23 January drug approvals agency NICE announced it had cleared the use of Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma. Final approval came after it rejected an appeal against its July 2007 decision to allow the NHS to use the drug. The Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum said the decision brought to an end 'one of the worst examples of postcode lottery funding. While mesothelioma patients in Scotland, the North West and North East of England received treatment, hundreds of patients were refused treatment in other parts of the UK. Mesothelioma is at the moment incurable, but Alimta has been shown to extend life and alleviate symptoms for many patients.
Deaths from mesothelioma have increased from 153 in 1968 to a record 2,037 in 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available.
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