Charity in push for prostate cancer drug U-turn in Scotland

A drug that can help control prostate cancer has been approved for patients in England and Wales but not Scotland.

Abiraterone is a hormone therapy treatment for use by those with advanced stages of the disease.

Marketed under the brand name Zytiga, the drug does not cure the condition but can extend a patient's life by up to four months.

Before he started taking abiraterone, 58-year-old George Fraser from Rutherglen would spend 23 hours a day in bed, contorted in pain.

Now, having cashed in his pension early to pay for the drug, he says his quality of life has improved dramatically and he has stopped feeling suicidal

He told STV News: "The pain barrier that I was in has now gone. Mobility is back, the eating is back.

"If I had put my pain barrier I would have put it at nine to ten. Now it's near enough one to ten."

On Wednesday, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence reversed its previous guidance on the treatment, opening the door for it to be prescribed south of the border. It is thought that the U-turn came after manufacturers Janssen offered to reduce the drug's price.

However, Scottish patients are still denied access to the drug after the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) said the current cost– around £3000 a month - did not justify the health benefits.

The body is now coming under pressure to reverse that decision. A petition has been set up to push for abiraterone to be made available in Scotland, while a charity has lent its support to the campaign.

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity, said: "This announcement represents a resounding triumph for each of the thousands of men with advanced prostate cancer in England and Wales who know just how much the prospect of precious extra time with their loved ones really means.

"Although today marks a very welcome advancement, it has to be remembered that abiraterone remains out of reach to men in Scotland on the NHS. We need to see every man who needs this drug receives it on the NHS, regardless of where they live in the UK."

The SMC has hinted that Janssen has made a similar price-cut offer to it, and is expected to make a statement about its position in August.

IN DETAIL

The Prostate Cancer Charity's campaign for Abiraterone

Make prostate cancer drug abiraterone available in Scotland petition

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