KIDNEY CANCER DRUGS

Early day motion 706, tabled 5 February 2009 by Jim Dobbin (Labour). Signed by 43 members.

That this House welcomes the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Final Decision Determination granting access to Sutent for first-time patients with kidney cancer and expresses the hope that the NHS will implement these recommendations swiftly; is concerned that NICE has issued draft recommendations rejecting the use of three other key drugs used in treating kidney cancer, Nexavar, Avastin and Torisel; recognises that these treatments are not interchangeable and that not all patients with kidney cancer are suitable for treatment with Sutent; notes with concern that this leaves many patients without access to the latest treatments, which have been recognised as clinically effective by NICE; seeks to ensure that primary care trusts are aware that this is not final guidance and that patients should still be able to access these treatments through exceptional case processes; further notes with concern that the additional guidance on end-of-life medicines issued by NICE to the appraisal committees does not appear to have supported the use of these four key treatments options for patients; and calls on NICE seriously to reconsider this guidance and allow access to all of these important, life-extending treatments as soon as possible.

Signatures by party: Labour 28, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 3, Conservative 2, Independent 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.