Paul Rowen slams mesothelioma decision

Date published: 30 June 2006

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has slammed the recommendation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to withdraw a vital drug in the fight against mesothelioma.  Alimta can extend and improve the quality of mesothelioma sufferers lives -  mesothelioma is a form of cancer and is caused by exposure to asbestos.  

"The reason for the refusal of NICE is purely financial and has led to widespread condemnation," says the Rochdale MP.
 
Rochdale is an area with an above average number of mesothelioma sufferers.  This is because the former Turner Brothers Asbestos (TBA) site, which was the largest asbestos textile factory in the world, was based in Rochdale - the site processed asbestos for over 100 years. 

Paul Rowen said: "I find the decision of NICE to be disgraceful, they have quite obviously put money before people's suffering and I am shocked.  Experts have told me that the NICE Appraisal cost around £1m, yet the cost of using this effective drug is estimated to be only £3m a year.  The main reason behind this decision is purely financial - this will be a blow to mesothelioma sufferers many of whom are my constituents.   This is plain wrong, here we have people suffering who have paid into the health system all their lives.  I appreciate that this drug doesn't save lives but it improves the quality of sufferers lives."
 
Paul Rowen has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM 2477) and is hoping to attract support from MP's from all parties. He added: "I fear the worst in this case, I hope that the drug will not be withdrawn in this penny pinching exercise, I am afraid that this will happen if the conclusions are repeated in NICE's final report in October.  I hope that Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt intervenes and that common sense prevails."