Access to Abraxane granted in England

[Support Team]

We are delighted to announce that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has today [4 August] notified us of their landmark decision to grant access to the life-extending drug, Abraxane, for people with advanced pancreatic cancer in England. This news is a major success for everyone affected by pancreatic cancer, especially given the lack of treatment options currently available.

At the moment, people diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in the UK will typically live for just two to six months after diagnosis. Patients who are eligible for Abraxane will have been diagnosed too late for surgery to be an option. Surgery is the only treatment for the disease which can save lives. Today’s decision will give hundreds of patients in England every year, the chance of trying Abraxane and potentially living an extra two months, and sometimes much longer.

We know the huge value of extra time for people with just a few months to live. This is why we have campaigned tirelessly alongside supporters, clinicians and MPs for many years, to ensure that Abraxane is made available, free of charge, to pancreatic cancer patients across the UK on the NHS.

Thanks to your support for recent campaigns, like our Every Month Matters petition, we’ve been able to shout louder than ever before and show the strength of our concern on this issue.

Together with your help we’re changing the future for people affected by pancreatic cancer and will continue to fight for the best possible treatment and care.

Many thanks for your ongoing support.

Alex Ford

Chief Executive at Pancreatic Cancer UK