The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has today recommended Perjeta (pertuzumab) be made routinely available. In preparation for the NICE recommendation, NHS Wales has been working closely with the medicine’s manufacturer Roche, to reach an agreement to ensure it is available.
Under the terms of the Welsh Government’s New Treatment Fund health boards in Wales must now make Perjeta available within 60 days.
Perjeta provides treatment for people whose HER2-positive breast cancer has returned to the breast but is inoperable, or where it has spread to other parts of the body.
Vaughan Gething said:
“I’m pleased that Perjeta (pertuzumab) will now be routinely available on the Welsh NHS for people with advanced breast cancer. The Welsh Government’s flagship £80m New Treatment Fund is making more medicines available quicker than ever before. On average, new medicines are now being made available in only 10 days following recommendation. This means people with life-threatening conditions are getting much faster access to the latest medicines when they need them.”
The announcement could potentially benefit up to 50 women a year in Wales.
Dr Catherine Bale, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Associate Medical Director, Wales Cancer Network said:
“This is extremely welcome news for our ladies with advanced breast cancer who will now have the opportunity to benefit from this effective treatment which can both prolong life and maintain quality of life. Making effective treatments available in a timely way to the population of Wales remains a priority and the New Treatment Fund is making this a reality for patients now.”
Follow this news feed: Welsh Government