Patient group pressure has resulted in a drug manufacturer introducing a pricing scheme to bring the price of Revlimid, a treatment for the bone marrow cancer myeloma, within existing NHS funding thresholds as set by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
In October last year NICE issued a draft decision to reject Revlimid (lenalidomide). Following the initial ‘no’, Leukaemia CARE, Myeloma UK and Macmillan Cancer Support pressured Revlimid manufacturer Celgene to effectively reduce the price of the drug and in doing so, made it possible for NICE to overturn the initial negative decision.
A new draft decision released today now recommends the use of Revlimid on the NHS under the condition that if a patient remains on the drug for longer than 2 years, Celgene will meet the subsequent costs of treatment.
Revlimid is a breakthrough oral drug capable of prolonging the lives of myeloma patients by up to three years. In October, NICE rejected the drug because of uncertainty over Celgene’s case for its cost-effectiveness.
Responding to today’s decision, Tony Gavin, Director of Campaigning & Patient Advocacy said:
"Access to new treatments like lenalidomide (Revlimid®) is hugely important to anyone diagnosed with a condition such as Myeloma. This decision by NICE and the responsible approach taken by the manufacturers Celgene is an excellent example of the major stakeholders working together for the good of the patient, it’s a positive win-win situation for all concerned, and I would like to commend the hard work of my fellow organisations Macmillan cancer support and Myeloma UK."
Eric Low, Chief Executive of Myeloma UK also commented:
“This is a great win for myeloma patients and a good example of all stakeholders taking responsibility, overcoming barriers and finding a workable solution that is to the benefit of patients. We applaud all involved - in particular fellow patient groups Macmillan Cancer Support and Leukaemia CARE for standing shoulder to shoulder with us - and hope that today’s news will help ease access issues to Revlimid across the UK.”
NICE will review the comments it receives over the next three week consultation period and will make a final recommendation by April 2009.
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