'It's a death sentence' Families devastated by delays in decision over life-changing drug
Families of children with a muscle wasting condition have suffered a major blow after a decision over a potentially life-changing drug was delayed.
The drug
Leo Le Gal from Ivybridge has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and is on a trial of Translarna. His family say the drug has slowed down the devastating symptoms of his illness.
His mother Ruth has been fighting for the NHS to approve Translarna, which is widely available in Europe.
The decision
It was hoped the drug would be approved for NHS use, but NICE has today announced in its draft guidance it will not yet recommend funding on the NHS.
They say more research is needed, and have asked the company to provide further justification for the cost of the drug before confirming its final position.
“The Committee heard from the patient experts that one of the most important aspects of managing DMD is maintaining their child’s ability to walk because this means they can continue to go to school independently and participate more fully in social and sporting activities with family and friends. There is, therefore, a clear need for a treatment that can prolong a child’s ability to walk but without serious side-effects.
"However, the Committee was not convinced that the proposed cost of [Translarna] was justified by the evidence presented."
"It's a death sentence"
Leo's mother is devastated by the decision, saying that denying children this medicine is akin to a death sentence.
Click to hear her powerful statement:
She added that there needs to be immediate access to this medication, even on a temporary basis, so that children will be able to take Translarna while they wait for the results of the research.
Ruth had a personal assurance from the Prime Ministerthat this was going to be looked into. She says she feels "let down".
About Duchenne muscular dystrophy
The condition is caused by the lack of a vital muscle protein called dystrophin, leading to muscles weakening and wasting over time and increasingly severe disability.
The vital heart and breathing muscles are affected, meaning that few people with the condition live to see their 30th birthday.
"If we are not careful, it will be too late"
The charity Muscular Dystrophy UK says it fears that any more delays in approving the drug will mean that it will be too late for many boys to be eligible to take Translarna.
Robert Meadowcroft, Chief Executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK said “Duchenne is a life-limiting condition, and we must take every opportunity to protect children and their quality of life. The chance to be able to walk for longer can be immeasurably precious. We may not yet be able to halt the difficult physical and emotional challenges these children face, but with this drug, we have the chance to delay them."