19th February 2007

Alimta Ruling to be Discussed in Parliament

A North East MP is questioning the Department of Health over the life extending drug Alimta.

David Anderson, MP for Blaydon has submitted a question to Parliament asking when the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) will report back on the mesothelioma drug Alimta.

Alimta is said to extend the lives of people suffering from mesothelioma and is said to make sufferers more comfortable during their final months.

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung and is caused through exposure to asbestos for which there is no cure. Alimta could potentially help thousands of mesothelioma sufferers throughout the country however Nice have said that they will not be in a position to give guidance on the drug until September 2007.

Decision Under Review

Alimta is currently available in some parts of the country including the North East, Liverpool and London on the NHS. Earlier on in the year Alimta withheld its approval for Alimta to be made available on the NHS in all parts of the country.

However following an appeal from the drugs manufacturers Eli Lilly, Nice said that it would review its decision and have a look at the way that cost per life was gained. At present health trusts in the UK that currently offer Alimta can continue to do this until Nice make a final ruling.

Ian McFall, Head of asbestos policy for Clear Answers' lawyers Thompsons Solicitors comments: "I look forward to hearing the Department for Health's answer to Mr Anderson's question. I hope they take the stance that a decision should be taken on Alimta as soon as possible so that scores of people in the North East and others across the UK are no longer left in limbo."

Compensation Claim

Clear Answers' lawyers specialising in mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are able to offer further guidance on likely damages to anyone suffering from an asbestos-related illness, to the families of sufferers, or to anyone who suspects that they or a member of their family may be suffering from, or may have suffered from a work-related asbestos disease.

If you do have a mesothelioma compensation claim and you decide to instruct Clear Answers to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for yourself. Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online claim enquiry forms.

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