Mesothelioma Mso1 Trial And Access To Alimta

EDM number 1703 in 2006-07, proposed by Michael Clapham on 14/06/2007.

That this House recognises that since July 2005 mesothelioma victims in Scotland have had access to the drug Alimta, which is the only licensed treatment for this tumour; welcomes the decision of the cancer networks and primary care trusts that have made Alimta available in parts of England and Wales; notes the debate in the Scottish Parliament on 7th June 2007 supporting continued availability of the drug; draws attention to the recent publication of the results of the MSO1 clinical trial comparing two unlicensed therapies mitomycin/vinorelbine/platinum (MVP) in combination with active symptom control (ASC) and further notes that these chemotherapy agents did not result in a significant survival benefit; observes that modelling submitted to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the on-going appraisal of Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma shows that the drug is cost effective per quality adjusted life year (QALY); implores NICE to take account of this; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health to accept that given the industrial nature of this disease the Government has a wider duty of care and social responsibility that goes beyond the definition of cost effectiveness.

This motion has been signed by a total of 123 MPs, 2 of these signatures have been withdrawn.