We have a message further down from Ella whose grandad has been refused funding from the PCT [West Kent] for Dasatinib. This man is intolerant to Glivec. His treatment with Dasatinib was funded by the NHS Trust for three months and his condition improved greatly. After the three months the cost was passed on to the PCT who have refused. Now he is back on Imatinib 400mg which is not holding his disease and he cannot tolerate 800mg [which if he could would have been funded under the NICE guidlines] - I can't see why the PCT is refusing to fund Dasatinib as I believe the cost is comparable to 800mg Glivec. Paul, am I right in saying this ?
I am currently making enquiries with BMS about this and will report back.
Anyone else out there having trouble ?
Ella - an alternative would be for your grandad to get on a Nilotinib trial but he would have to come up to Hammersmith from Kent.
Best wishes
Elizabeth
You are here
Anyone having difficulty in getting PCT to fund Dasatinib/Sprycel ?
Howdy Elizebeth
Very topical, as I was at Hammersmith today, seing David as usual, Carole went around to Pharmacy to collect 3 months supply of dasatinib as per script from David, she was told that they were unable to process as funding had not been agreed as yet with Berkshire NHS. They did issue 28 days supply, but grudgingly. We took this up with David, who was emphatic that I should receive this drug (50mg a day) and that should we be refused then Hammersmith would fund it. Now I cannot see this happening, or can I ? Leaves one in a state of limbo, somwhat concerning as to what is to happen. Another pressue to be dealt with. Does not seem to be the support from the makers as there was with Glivec.
Although I tolerate BMS reasonably well, the expected results do not seem to be any better than with Glivec (I have lots of that). Seems that there has not been a deal of thought given to what happens after the drug achieved it's launch. As always I will support you in any actions etc that you think maybe prudent at this time.
Keep smiling
Keith
Elizabeth
My understanding is that Dasatinib is less expensive than 800mg of Glivec and that patients on 800mg of Glivec should have no funding problem moving to a standard Dasatinib dose. However, I have searched the NICE website this evening and I cannot find any Dasatinib guidance there. I have Emailed them for their position on Dasatinib. I will post once I have a reply.
Ella, I am so sorry that you and your Grandad have this stress on top of the CML - that is not right. I do hope it can be sorted out quickly.
Kind regards
David
Hi Keith
We are going to be back to the old campaigning days. First line lttr frm consultant to pct with letter from patient pointing out the costs implication and then make a lot of noise media etc it worked with Glivec so let's give it a go.
Feeling really unwell right now but will give it some thought [only headcold but badone]
E
BMS UK have told me that dasatinib has a cost equivalent to 600mg of glivec. as most patients are given 800mg of glivec if they show signs of reistance then i cannot see how any pct can find grounds to refuse funding dasatinib.
however given the negative publicity surrounding 'expensive drugs' for cancer patients and how this is affecting some PCTs' rather over-stretched resources then i fear patients showing resistance to glivec may have some problems in the near future.
i have also heard that some pct's are not keen to allow patients to enrol on the ENACT trials as they do not want to fund the drug after the trials finish!!!! what are glivec resistant patients to do?
we will more than likely need to start a campaign for NHS reimbursment for alterntive drug therapy for glivec resistant patietnts. however BMS do not have, to my knowledge, any plans for NICE appraisal of their drug. rather short sighted of them wouldn't you agree?
sandy
Dasatinib costs are as follows:
20mg Tablet pack 56 £1216.43
50mg Tablet pack 56 £2432.85
70mg Tablet pack 56 £2432.85
Imatinib costs are:
400mg tablet pack 30 £1604.08
100mg tablet pack 60 £802.04
If medication is supplied from a Hospital Pharmacy, add vat at 17.5% to these costs.
Because of the range of doses available, a direct comparison is not that easy.
But hope that these costs will help people work out what the cost will be in any 'case' which they are trying to present to their local Trust/PCT/LHB etc
Paul