Just this last June, a new drug successfully used to treat metastatic breast cancer patients in England, has been denied for a third time by Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), as recently reported by the Herald Scotland. The drug called Perjeta has been known to extend the life of breast cancer patients by 16 months, but Scottish representatives denied it’s access due to high costs.
Breast Cancer Now, a charity for breast cancer treatment, has stood up to fight back against this denial since this treatment can be life-changing to the patients who need it. The drug just received approval for routine treatment in England and they believe those in Scotland deserve the same opportunity.
The drug is used for patients with metastatic breast cancer, or HER2-positive, which is when the cancer has spread and is incurable. Yet, this drug can elongate their time with their families while remaining mostly pain-free.
The charity continues to fight the Scottish Government, as they believe it is truly unfair. Breast Cancer Now has urged the government to work together with Roche (the drug manufacturer) and SMC to find a solution to this problem. Patients who suffer from this cancer can only access the drug if they pay the cost in full or request for an except, which is often denied. BCN believes both options are stress-inducing and not fair to put the patient through the trouble when they are already fighting for their lives.
A spokesperson for SMC shared that they are extremely saddened to have denied the drug as they believe it poses a huge problem to accessibility. They do not believe everyone who needs it would have the opportunity to have it, therefore they think it is of best interest to deny it altogether.
It all boils down to finances. Yet, the SMC expressed they have agreed to continue the conversation about the drug and making it more accessible with hopes to provide all patients with an equal and fair opportunity to receive better quality, and longer, lives.
