Accessing treatments not available on the NHS

Newer treatments and medications can sometimes take a little time to find their way into mainstream NHS care pathways through the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisal and approval process. This explains why some treatments - eg the monocolonal antibodies bevacizumab (Avastin) and panitumumab (Vectibix) - are not available to patients through routine prescription with the NHS treatment pathway. However, individual requests for treatment from your consultant will be considered for "exceptional funding"  through an Individual Treatment Request, made by your specialist to the PCT. If this is unsuccessful, funding for non- NICE approved treatments can now also be applied for via the Cancer Drugs Fund.

The Individual PCTs and Clinical Panel for the Cancer Drugs Fund assess medical need and potential benefits of these medicines, according to clinical assessment and social circumstances on an individual basis, following local criteria. It can be a time consuming process, sometimes taking several weeks to receive an answer.

At Beating Bowel Cancer we strongly believe that patients should have equal access to all licensed drugs and treatment opportunities within their NHS care pathway. We also believe that they should not have to endure the trauma and stress of fighting for access to drugs or technologies that have been licensed for treatment of their particular type of cancer, but that has not received NICE approval for use within the NHS.

Beating Bowel Cancer has developed an information pack 'Accessing Treatment: Your Options' to help those who have been recommended a treatment which they cannot routinely access on the NHS.

You can order your copy by calling 08450 719301.