A drug that can give terminal bladder cancer patients months more good quality life is being prescribed on the NHS in Scotland but not England. In May, the body issued draft guidance saying it would not recommend avelumab – also known under brand name Bavencio – for advanced bladder cancer patients as it wasn't deemed cost effective. About 10,000 Britons are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year – roughly 28 a day. Prof Birtle said: 'Advanced bladder cancer often causes pain, difficulties urinating and serious kidney problems, meaning patients can feel very unwell. Merck and Pfizer have now submitted an appeal to NICE to try to ensure UK patients have equitable access to it, which is backed by Fight Bladder Cancer and Action Bladder Cancer UK.

Source: The Nation August 14, 2021 21:00 UTC