MORE ACCESSIBLE INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS


  It is always astonishing to hear about the latest medical advancements that take place, meaning that the quality of care being delivered can be improved, and the lives of many people with a range of illnesses can be drastically enhanced. However, in some cases, the advancement is hindered by the large price tag that comes with it, meaning it is simply not accessible to those who need it most. However, there have been major developments that have now seen an innovative cancer drug, Kadcyla, being made available on the NHS, whilst previously the cancer drug fund was employed to cover the cost. With Scotland being a devolved body, it had its own vote on the issue, deciding to pay for the drug in April.

  Kadcyla was developed for women experiencing HER2-positive tumours, which are a form of breast cancer. HER2 refers to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, which is a protein responsible for impacting the growth of certain cancer cells. HER2 is actually found in all human cells, as it is vital for controlling cell growth and repair. Yet, the problem comes when HER2 helps the growth and survival of cancerous cells, as high levels of HER2 have been found in tumours.

How does Kadcyla work?
  The treatment itself combines Herceptin (a brand name of medicine used to treat some forms of breast, oesophageal and stomach cancer) along with a potent chemotherapy agent. Kadcyla attaches itself to the HER2 receptor on the cancer cells, which in turns blocks the chemical signals that stimulate the growth and spread of the cancer cells. This, combined with the chemotherapy aspect, also targets the cancer cells from within, causing them to die. Kadcyla is administered intravenously once every three weeks
  Kadcyla is vital as it has been shown to extend the lives of terminal cancer patients by up to six months, as well as drastically enhancing the quality of life and working to reduce distressing side effects of treatment. The full price per patient each year is £90,000, but fortunately an agreement has been made between NHS England and Roche, the manufacturer, to allow the drug to be made available to approximately 1200 women a year in England. The reduced price is currently being kept confidential.
  Campaigning played a salient role in adding pressure to the manufacturing company and the NHS to ensure that the drug was made accessible to patients, with chief executive of the research charity Breast Cancer Now praising the hundreds of thousands of people’s persistence in the cause. She further commented, "Today's landmark decision bodes well for patients looking for reassurances that modern cancer treatments can get through to NHS patients more quickly and can bring transformational improvements in patient outcomes for the future." There was much disappointment in 2016 when then the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) rejected to the drug being used routinely on cost grounds, yet the continued support from many has helped bring about the important U-turn.
  It can be highly frustrating when innovative treatments take a long time to reach those in need, but the Kadcyla drug is certainly is step in the right direction towards more efficient and fair delivery of life saving medicine.

I hope you found this post informative!

By Vicale Czan Alfant




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