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Search forMP Michael Clapham backs Garford Gaskin's campaign for cancer drug
Wednesday, August 06, 2008, 07:30
Michael Clapham MP, right, who is a leading campaigner for better treatment for mesothelioma sufferers, says the decision by Derby Primary Care Trust belittles workers who were exposed to the deadly fibre through no fault of their own.
He has called for the trust to reverse its decision not to fund the drug, called Alimta, for Garford Gaskin.
Mr Gaskin, who is terminally ill, has twice been refused funding because the trust said the drug was not licensed for patients who had already had chemotherapy.
Alimta slows the growth of cancerous tumours and relieves symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, persistent cough and loss of appetite.
Mr Clapham, chairman of an all-party parliamentary group on asbestos-related conditions, called the trust's decision an “absolute disgrace”.
He said: “It is my view that it should be immediately made available to him and I hope that the trust will review its decision.
“Mr Gaskin, like many other workers who were exposed to asbestos four decades ago, has made an enormous contribution to society and his endeavour as a working man should be recognised.
“It is demoralising for the trust to take the stance that it has.
“It belittles men and women who have worked hard and were exposed to the deadly fibre through no fault of their own.”
Derbyshire is considered a hotspot for mesothelioma cases because of its history of heavy engineering. At least 300 Derbyshire people have died in the past 30 years but specialists expect a surge in numbers because of the disease's long incubation period.
Mr Gaskin, of Clinton Street, Chaddesden, was exposed to asbestos when he worked for British Rail. The 67-year-old was diagnosed with the disease more than two years ago and has undergone a major operation and chemotherapy to try to reduce the cancerous tumours.
He is now on morphine to give him some relief from the pain, which is getting worse every day.
In January, the National Institute for Health and Clinical excellence said it was the NHS's duty only to pay for Alimta for mesothelioma patients who had not previously had chemotherapy – because this was the only group on which trials had been carried out.
It was left up to local primary care trusts to decide whether to pay for it for chemotherapy patients.
The Derby trust said it would pay in “exceptional circumstances” but it decided Mr Gaskin was not such a case, despite an appeal.
Mr Clapham, Labour MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, fought for the institute's approval of Alimta.
He said: “I think it is an absolute disgrace that because Mr Gaskin had chemotherapy before Alimta was available the Derby trust is withholding the drug that would give him vital help.”
In response to Mr Clapham's comments, the trust said that it funded Alimta in line with guidance produced by Nice.
It went on to say: “The PCT's decision on this case has already been challenged through the appeal process, the outcome of which has concluded that adhering to the Nice guidance was the right decision.
“We regret that sometimes these decisions will be very disappointing for patients.”
Mr Clapham could now raise the issue of Alimta funding with ministers.
Mr Gaskin said he was grateful to the MP for taking an interest in his case. “It was very kind of Mr Clapham,” he said. “I shouldn't give up hope. I just hope that something changes the PCT's mind. I have too much to do and too little time to do it.”
It costs about £6,700 for a course of Alimta and people undergoing treatment survive, on average, for an extra two-and-a-half months.
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NOT PRESCRIBED: The cancer drug Alimta
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