U-turn Over Asbestos Cancer Drug
Source: BBC News
The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has reversed course and approved Altima (Pemetrexed) for use in patients with advanced mesothelioma. Citing the expense of the drug, the Institute had previously stated that Altima was only to be used in ongoing or in new clinical trials. However, after an intense lobbying campaign from doctors and mesothelioma victims, the Institue has reversed course and has approved Altima for regular use in England and in Wales. Its use had already been approved in Scotland.
Altima has been used in the United States since the first studies showed a positive benefit to its use. Mesothelioma still has no cure, but patients treated with Altima live months longer than those who have not been administered Altima.
The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has reversed course and approved Altima (Pemetrexed) for use in patients with advanced mesothelioma. Citing the expense of the drug, the Institute had previously stated that Altima was only to be used in ongoing or in new clinical trials. However, after an intense lobbying campaign from doctors and mesothelioma victims, the Institue has reversed course and has approved Altima for regular use in England and in Wales. Its use had already been approved in Scotland.
Altima has been used in the United States since the first studies showed a positive benefit to its use. Mesothelioma still has no cure, but patients treated with Altima live months longer than those who have not been administered Altima.
Labels: asbestos, mesothelioma
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11:57 AM
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