Monday, 09 July 2007

UCATT Delighted with U-Turn over asbestos drug

Construction union UCATT have warmly welcomed the decision of the National Institute of Clinical Evidence to license the drug Alimta, used to extend the life of people suffering from mesothelioma.

The decision marks a clear reversal of policy; previously NICE only licensed the drug for ongoing clinical trials, due to cost. Although not a cure, Alimta can extend the life of mesothelioma victims by up to a year, while also improving their quality of life.

Alimta was already fully licensed in Scotland. Which had created a postcode lottery for mesothelioma sufferers.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, said: “It is excellent news that NICE have responded positively to the extensive lobbying following their original decision not to license Alimta. Thousands of workers contract mesothelioma every year, due to no fault of their own, because of exposure in the workplace. The very least society must do is to insure that their suffering is minimised”

In May NICE initially indicated that they were not going to license Alimta. Since then MP s and asbestos support groups have lobbied hard in order to overturn that decision.

Mesothelioma is a form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, it is incurable. About 4,000 people a year develop the cancer. Construction workers are particularly vulnerable, as they risk exposure when working in properties where asbestos is present.