On the 9^th July NICE reversed their previous Appraisal findings and recommended the use of Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma. Unfortunately, two organisations have now challenged this decision and an appeal will be heard on the 23^rd November. The names of the two organisations will not be made public until the day of the appeal, when they will be published on the NICE website.
This appeal and subsequent procedures will result in a long delay in the publication of the final decision. This news has been greeted with dismay by mesothelioma sufferers and their families.

Although Alimta does not help every mesothelioma sufferer who receives treatment, and although it is not a cure for mesothelioma, it can extend life and alleviate symptoms for many patients.

Notwithstanding the appeal, mesothelioma patients should still contact their Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) if they have been refused Alimta and ask that they make this treatment available immediately.

The Final Appraisal has yet to be ratified, but Department of Health (DoH) guidance says that PCTs should look to provide treatment as soon as a NICE appraisal recommends treatment, and states in their "Funding Direction" that, "Each PCT should use its best endeavours to ensure that any new treatments recommended by NICE are available as soon as possible after NICE issues Technology Appraisal Guidance" (The Department of Health, Good Practice Guidance on Managing the introduction of New Health Technology Intervention and Links to NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance, Gateway Reference 7251, 14^th December 2006).

Experience has shown that where mesothelioma patients, and their family and friends, mount a campaign through the Press to expose the `post code lottery´ which currently prevails in the UK, they are often successful in changing PCT policy on funding treatment for mesothelioma. We can put you in touch with mesothelioma patients who have won their right to treatment and provide information to help with a campaign.