Life-Extending Prostate Cancer Drug to be Made Available in England
Introduction to Abiraterone
A life-extending prostate cancer drug is set to be made available to thousands of men in England within weeks, following a campaign by a patient and a charity. Abiraterone has been provided on the NHS in Scotland and Wales since 2023, but not in England and Northern Ireland except in the most severe cases. The drug is already being prescribed in the UK to patients with very advanced prostate cancer that has spread.
Availability and Benefits
The drug will be available on the NHS in England for high-risk patients whose cancer has not yet metastasized – potentially saving hundreds of lives. It is estimated that 7,000 men a year will start treatment, with around 1,470 avoiding subsequent news of their cancer getting worse. Approximately 560 lives will be saved. Abiraterone stops the spread of cancer by depriving the disease of the hormones it needs to grow.
Campaign for Policy Change
A patient, who was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer, contacted the media after hearing that the NHS was providing abiraterone in Scotland and Wales but not in England. He chose to pay for treatment with the drug, which cost him £250 a month, and began his campaign for policy change. The patient felt “very lucky” to be able to afford it, but was outraged by others who couldn’t afford it.
Research and Approval
The charity Prostate Cancer UK’s argument that many lives could be extended by the drug was based on the results of a study called STAMPEDE published in 2022. It found that men who were given the drug in addition to usual care had improved survival chances. The Institute of Cancer Research said two years of abiraterone halved the risk of prostate cancer recurrence and reduced the risk of death by 40%.
Funding and Availability
Ministers and health authorities in Scotland and Wales have found a way to begin supplying the drug to the NHS under existing protocols. However, in England, there was no such change until now. NHS England said it was now able to fund the expansion of the drug’s availability because money had been saved on other medicines.
Reaction to the News
National clinical director for cancer at NHS England said: “The life-extending treatment the NHS is offering in just a few weeks will ensure thousands of men can start their year with the news that they have a better chance of living a longer, healthier life.” Health and Social Care Minister said: “When you are living with prostate cancer, every day with your loved ones is important.”
Future Plans
Prostate Cancer UK is working with decision makers in Northern Ireland to ensure they quickly follow suit. The charity said it was writing to politicians in Northern Ireland to put pressure on the Stormont government. Stormont has not yet commented on plans to change the prescription of abiraterone.
