The NHS will provide a life-extending prostate cancer drug to thousands of men in England, expanding access to a treatment clinically proven to improve survival rates
Thousands of men with prostate cancer in England will now have access to a life-extending drug as part of a major expansion of NHS treatment options. Patients whose cancer has not yet spread will be eligible for abiraterone, a therapy shown to significantly improve survival rates. Approximately 2,000 men are expected to benefit immediately, with up to 7,000 more becoming eligible each year.
New treatment shown to boost survival rates and expand access for earlier-stage patients
Research indicates that for earlier-stage patients, abiraterone significantly increases survival rates. Clinical trials found that 86% of men taking abiraterone were alive after six years, compared to 77% receiving standard treatment (hormone therapy with or without radiotherapy).
NHS England has approved abiraterone for thousands more eligible patients by adopting cost-effective strategies. The NHS aims to save over £1 billion by prioritising clinically effective biosimilar drugs, with more than 80% of drugs now being lower-cost biosimilars or generics. These savings allow funding to be redirected to other innovative treatments.
Announcing the expansion, Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer at NHS England, said: “For thousands of men with prostate cancer, this treatment could be life-changing, helping to keep their cancer at bay for several years.”
He continued: “The life-extending treatment available on the NHS within weeks will mean thousands of men can kick-start their year with the news that they will have a better chance of living longer and healthier lives.”
“The NHS will continue to work hard to offer people the most effective and evidence-based treatments, with several new prostate cancer drugs rolled out over the last five years.”
Further advancements and expert reactions to NHS prostate cancer drug expansion
The NHS in England has also commissioned new innovative targeted prostate cancer drugs, including the branded drugs enzalutamide, darolutamide, relugolix, and apalutamide.
National Director of Specialised Commissioning at NHS England, John Stewart, said: “I am delighted that we are today able to confirm that we can move ahead and offer this important treatment to thousands more men, which I hope comes as welcome news for those who could benefit from this drug, as well as their families and friends.
“I want to put on record my thanks to Prostate Cancer UK for their collaboration and partnership, supporting the health service to start offering this drug, which could make a real difference to the lives of men with this type of prostate cancer.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “When you’re living with prostate cancer, every day with your loved ones matters. I’m delighted the NHS has taken the steps needed to make the drug available, giving thousands of men access to abiraterone – a treatment that significantly improves survival rates and can give patients precious extra years of life.
Streeting continued: “We’re backing the best clinical evidence, making smart funding decisions, and ensuring patients get the care they need when they need it most.”
He added: “We’re serious about improving prostate cancer outcomes – treating it faster and giving loved ones more time together.”
