Thalidomide approved for use across the NHS half a century after it was banned

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Thalidomide approved for use across the NHS half a century after it was banned

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:08 AM on 27th July 2011

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Thalidomide has been approved for use on the NHS - half a century after it caused one of the biggest medical scandals in history.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence have recommended that the drug can be used to treat myeloma - a cancer which hits the bone marrow.

An estimated 10,000 children had defects at birth after pregnant women were prescribed the drug to prevent morning sickness.

Banned: Thalidmide caused 10,000 people to have defects at birth. But today, half a century later, it has been approved for use on the NHS again

After the government finally apologised last year, the drug is today again approved for use across the NHS, the Independent revealed.

Thalidomide was withdrawn from sale in 1961 after it was revealed that it was causing birth defects.

More...

Could zinc be a cure for the common cold? Taking supplements could shorten illness length by 40 per cent Stroke victims given new hope with discovery of protein that can limit damage after just 12 hours

It led to wholesale reforms in the drug licensing process, with much tighter regulations put in place.

A component of the drug prevents the growth of new blood vessels in developing embryos, stunting limb growth, researchers discovered.

Freddie Astbury, pictured with his wife Janet, was born without arms and legs after his mother took the drug. He is now president of Thalidomide UK

The drug's UK manufacturer, Distillers Biochemicals, paid around £28million compensation in the 1970s following a legal battle by the families of those affected.

Last year Health Minister Mike O'Brien said there were 466 thalidomiders - as victims of the drug are known - supported by the Thalidomide Trust.

As thalidomide makes its return half a century after it was banned, another drug, Velcade, has also been approved for use in treating myeloma.

Drugs like thalidomide which are approved by Nice should be made available to patients across the UK.

Low, Myeloma UK chief executive, said: 'It is vital that doctors have various effective treatment options in their toolbox to treat myeloma patients.

'Today's recommendation confirms the significant role that both thalidomide and Velcade have to play as initial treatment options.'

Thalidomide has been used on the NHS in recent years to treat brain cancer in a limited number of cases, although it is the first time it's use has been formally recommended by Nice.

In the 1990s the drug began to make a return after research showed that it could be used to treat leprosy

There have been suggestions it could also be used to halt the development of prostate cancer.

Prescribing thalidomide is expected to cost £2,100 per treatment cycle and up to 2,000 patients each year could be given it now it has been recommended for use.

Myeloma cannot be cured but drugs can be used to reduce the symptoms and stop the spread of cancerous cells.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2019199/Thalidomide-approved-use-NHS-half-century-banned.html#ixzz1TIE2xad6

[Guest guest]

Thalidomide approved for use across the NHS half a century after it was banned

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:08 AM on 27th July 2011

Comments (3)

Add to My Stories

Share

Thalidomide has been approved for use on the NHS - half a century after it caused one of the biggest medical scandals in history.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence have recommended that the drug can be used to treat myeloma - a cancer which hits the bone marrow.

An estimated 10,000 children had defects at birth after pregnant women were prescribed the drug to prevent morning sickness.

Banned: Thalidmide caused 10,000 people to have defects at birth. But today, half a century later, it has been approved for use on the NHS again

After the government finally apologised last year, the drug is today again approved for use across the NHS, the Independent revealed.

Thalidomide was withdrawn from sale in 1961 after it was revealed that it was causing birth defects.

More...

Could zinc be a cure for the common cold? Taking supplements could shorten illness length by 40 per cent Stroke victims given new hope with discovery of protein that can limit damage after just 12 hours

It led to wholesale reforms in the drug licensing process, with much tighter regulations put in place.

A component of the drug prevents the growth of new blood vessels in developing embryos, stunting limb growth, researchers discovered.

Freddie Astbury, pictured with his wife Janet, was born without arms and legs after his mother took the drug. He is now president of Thalidomide UK

The drug's UK manufacturer, Distillers Biochemicals, paid around £28million compensation in the 1970s following a legal battle by the families of those affected.

Last year Health Minister Mike O'Brien said there were 466 thalidomiders - as victims of the drug are known - supported by the Thalidomide Trust.

As thalidomide makes its return half a century after it was banned, another drug, Velcade, has also been approved for use in treating myeloma.

Drugs like thalidomide which are approved by Nice should be made available to patients across the UK.

Low, Myeloma UK chief executive, said: 'It is vital that doctors have various effective treatment options in their toolbox to treat myeloma patients.

'Today's recommendation confirms the significant role that both thalidomide and Velcade have to play as initial treatment options.'

Thalidomide has been used on the NHS in recent years to treat brain cancer in a limited number of cases, although it is the first time it's use has been formally recommended by Nice.

In the 1990s the drug began to make a return after research showed that it could be used to treat leprosy

There have been suggestions it could also be used to halt the development of prostate cancer.

Prescribing thalidomide is expected to cost £2,100 per treatment cycle and up to 2,000 patients each year could be given it now it has been recommended for use.

Myeloma cannot be cured but drugs can be used to reduce the symptoms and stop the spread of cancerous cells.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2019199/Thalidomide-approved-use-NHS-half-century-banned.html#ixzz1TIE2xad6

[Guest guest]

Thalidomide approved for use across the NHS half a century after it was banned

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:08 AM on 27th July 2011

Comments (3)

Add to My Stories

Share

Thalidomide has been approved for use on the NHS - half a century after it caused one of the biggest medical scandals in history.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence have recommended that the drug can be used to treat myeloma - a cancer which hits the bone marrow.

An estimated 10,000 children had defects at birth after pregnant women were prescribed the drug to prevent morning sickness.

Banned: Thalidmide caused 10,000 people to have defects at birth. But today, half a century later, it has been approved for use on the NHS again

After the government finally apologised last year, the drug is today again approved for use across the NHS, the Independent revealed.

Thalidomide was withdrawn from sale in 1961 after it was revealed that it was causing birth defects.

More...

Could zinc be a cure for the common cold? Taking supplements could shorten illness length by 40 per cent Stroke victims given new hope with discovery of protein that can limit damage after just 12 hours

It led to wholesale reforms in the drug licensing process, with much tighter regulations put in place.

A component of the drug prevents the growth of new blood vessels in developing embryos, stunting limb growth, researchers discovered.

Freddie Astbury, pictured with his wife Janet, was born without arms and legs after his mother took the drug. He is now president of Thalidomide UK

The drug's UK manufacturer, Distillers Biochemicals, paid around £28million compensation in the 1970s following a legal battle by the families of those affected.

Last year Health Minister Mike O'Brien said there were 466 thalidomiders - as victims of the drug are known - supported by the Thalidomide Trust.

As thalidomide makes its return half a century after it was banned, another drug, Velcade, has also been approved for use in treating myeloma.

Drugs like thalidomide which are approved by Nice should be made available to patients across the UK.

Low, Myeloma UK chief executive, said: 'It is vital that doctors have various effective treatment options in their toolbox to treat myeloma patients.

'Today's recommendation confirms the significant role that both thalidomide and Velcade have to play as initial treatment options.'

Thalidomide has been used on the NHS in recent years to treat brain cancer in a limited number of cases, although it is the first time it's use has been formally recommended by Nice.

In the 1990s the drug began to make a return after research showed that it could be used to treat leprosy

There have been suggestions it could also be used to halt the development of prostate cancer.

Prescribing thalidomide is expected to cost £2,100 per treatment cycle and up to 2,000 patients each year could be given it now it has been recommended for use.

Myeloma cannot be cured but drugs can be used to reduce the symptoms and stop the spread of cancerous cells.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2019199/Thalidomide-approved-use-NHS-half-century-banned.html#ixzz1TIE2xad6

[Guest guest]

Thalidomide approved for use across the NHS half a century after it was banned

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:08 AM on 27th July 2011

Comments (3)

Add to My Stories

Share

Thalidomide has been approved for use on the NHS - half a century after it caused one of the biggest medical scandals in history.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence have recommended that the drug can be used to treat myeloma - a cancer which hits the bone marrow.

An estimated 10,000 children had defects at birth after pregnant women were prescribed the drug to prevent morning sickness.

Banned: Thalidmide caused 10,000 people to have defects at birth. But today, half a century later, it has been approved for use on the NHS again

After the government finally apologised last year, the drug is today again approved for use across the NHS, the Independent revealed.

Thalidomide was withdrawn from sale in 1961 after it was revealed that it was causing birth defects.

More...

Could zinc be a cure for the common cold? Taking supplements could shorten illness length by 40 per cent Stroke victims given new hope with discovery of protein that can limit damage after just 12 hours

It led to wholesale reforms in the drug licensing process, with much tighter regulations put in place.

A component of the drug prevents the growth of new blood vessels in developing embryos, stunting limb growth, researchers discovered.

Freddie Astbury, pictured with his wife Janet, was born without arms and legs after his mother took the drug. He is now president of Thalidomide UK

The drug's UK manufacturer, Distillers Biochemicals, paid around £28million compensation in the 1970s following a legal battle by the families of those affected.

Last year Health Minister Mike O'Brien said there were 466 thalidomiders - as victims of the drug are known - supported by the Thalidomide Trust.

As thalidomide makes its return half a century after it was banned, another drug, Velcade, has also been approved for use in treating myeloma.

Drugs like thalidomide which are approved by Nice should be made available to patients across the UK.

Low, Myeloma UK chief executive, said: 'It is vital that doctors have various effective treatment options in their toolbox to treat myeloma patients.

'Today's recommendation confirms the significant role that both thalidomide and Velcade have to play as initial treatment options.'

Thalidomide has been used on the NHS in recent years to treat brain cancer in a limited number of cases, although it is the first time it's use has been formally recommended by Nice.

In the 1990s the drug began to make a return after research showed that it could be used to treat leprosy

There have been suggestions it could also be used to halt the development of prostate cancer.

Prescribing thalidomide is expected to cost £2,100 per treatment cycle and up to 2,000 patients each year could be given it now it has been recommended for use.

Myeloma cannot be cured but drugs can be used to reduce the symptoms and stop the spread of cancerous cells.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2019199/Thalidomide-approved-use-NHS-half-century-banned.html#ixzz1TIE2xad6