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" A new cost-sharing deal will enable patients with multiple myeloma to access a new drug on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) had ruled that Revlimid (lenalidomide) was not a cost-effective use of its resources and should not be made available on the NHS. However, the drug&amp;#039;s manufacturer, Celgene, proposed a cost-sharing scheme that has now been accepted, whereby the NHS will pay for a patient&amp;#039;s treatment with Revlimid for two years, after which any further costs will be met by Celgene. As a result of the deal, Nice has now overturned its preliminary guidance and approved Revlimid for patients who had already tried two or more cancer therapies. Andrew Robertson, general manager for Celgene in the UK and Ireland, told the Press Association that time is a &amp;#039;precious commodity&amp;#039; for patients with multiple myeloma. &amp;#039;We are committed to ensuring that the Revlimid treatment continuation scheme is successfully implemented so that all patients who can benefit will have rapid and sustained access to treatment,&amp;#039; he said. Eric Low, chief executive of Myeloma UK, commented: &amp;#039;This is a great win for myeloma patients and a good example of all stakeholders taking responsibility, overcoming barriers and finding a workable solution.&amp;#039; Myeloma develops from plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow. Multiple myeloma occurs when the cancer develops in several parts of the body, such as the pelvis, spine and ribcage. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a17697/medicine-deal-set-to-benefit-blood-cancer-patients/>