Breakthrough Prostate Cancer drug to be made available on NHS



John Leech MP and Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer Charity

 Chorlton MP John Leech has spoken of his delight that the prostate cancer drug ‘abiraterone’ has been approved today for use on the NHS in England and Wales by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

John Leech said, “I am delighted that our campaign to get NICE approval has been successful. This is no doubt down to the hard work of the Prostate Cancer Charity along with the Members of Parliament who supported me in calling for NICE to think again”.

Working closely with the Prostate Cancer Charity John Leech was at the forefront of the campaign in getting NICE to overturn their ruling on the drug in February. Mr Leech raised the issue through the Parliamentary Motion 2706 as well as hosting an event in Parliament to spread awareness of the campaign among fellow MPs He also pressed Ministers on the decision through Parliamentary Questions in the House of Commons.

Owen Sharp Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity said:

“John Leech MP has done a huge amount to raise the profile of this issue in parliament and we are extremely grateful to him for all his support.

I am certain that his hard work behind the scenes has proved invaluable to the success of this campaign.”

The news means that suitable men whose cancer has stopped responding to other hormone therapy and chemotherapy will be able to receive the drug without having to make an application through the Cancer Drugs Fund.