Cancer patients win herceptin bid

Amanda d'Argue was refused the drug

Breast cancer patients in the early stages of the disease in Greater Manchester can now be given the drug herceptin, health chiefs have ruled.

The decision comes after cancer patient Amanda d'Argue, 39, of Radcliffe, Bury, was told the drug was only licensed for use on sufferers with advanced cancers.

The mother-of-two said this could prevent the disease returning, and appealed against the decision.

Greater Manchester's 14 primary care trusts agreed to her appeal on Friday.

The decision means about 300 patients each year will be treated with herceptin at a cost of about £7.9m per year.

The Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group, the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (SHA), the Christie Hospital, and the Greater Manchester PCTs agreed the drug should be paid for in certain circumstances.

Health assessment

The group said it could now be given to patients registered with GPs in the Greater Manchester PCT areas and being treated at the Christie Hospital.

Prescription of the drug would also be subject to certain criteria, such as health and risk assessment.

Since Ms d'Argue was diagnosed with breast cancer in July she has undergone a mastectomy, chemotherapy and faces 15 radiotherapy sessions.

About 300 patients each year will now be treated with herceptin

Trials are being carried out to assess its benefits and possible side effects when used on women in the earlier stages of the disease.

Kevin Snee, chief executive of Bolton PCT and chair of the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network, said he was pleased the issue had been resolved. "We know it's been a very difficult and anxious time for individual patients," he said.

"It has also been a difficult decision for the health community in Greater Manchester, and it has been good to see the clinicians and managers from different parts of the NHS in the area working together to reach a consensus."