NHS announces wider access to life-extending prostate cancer drug

Patients diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer will now have immediate access to life extending chemotherapy drug docetaxel, NHS England has confirmed.

Studies have shown docetaxel can extend a patients life by more than a year compared to current options. Older guidelines that required patients to go through hormone-based treatments before being prescribed the drug have now been scrapped, following a review of evidence published in late 2015.

Two randomised tests found that combining docetaxel with the hormone based androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) increased life expectancy by up to 15 months compared to treatment with just ADT alone.

Dr Jonathan Fielden, NHS England’s director of specialised services, said: “Rigorous new evidence shows that this drug brings significant benefits for patients with advanced prostate cancer. So working closely with patient groups and cancer specialists, NHS England is now pleased to be fast-tracking its wider availability. NHS cancer outcomes are now better than ever, and we’re on track for very substantial further patient gains over the next five years.”

Angela Culhane, chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Today’s announcement is great news for men who are newly diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer that has spread. This fast-track response to new evidence indicates what can be achieved when there is the will in the system. It must set a precedent for other treatments that demonstrate clear clinical benefit when used in different ways.

“It is now critical that specialists are made aware that this use of docetaxel treatment is available so that no man ever misses out. Earlier docetaxel must become the standard for men who can benefit from it and we will continue applying pressure until we are sure this is the case.”