Lung Cancer Medicines

Baroness Manzoor Excerpts

Wednesday 14th February 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, I share the noble Lord’s disappointment that the company has taken the decision to withdraw Mobocertinib from the market globally. I understand that this decision was taken after the treatment failed to meet its primary end-points in the phase 3 EXCLAIM-2 trial. I assure the noble Lord that, for existing patients, and through a compassionate use scheme for new patients, although this drug was the only NICE-recommended treatment targeted for exon 20 patients, alternative NICE-recommended immunotherapies may be appropriate treatments for patients at the same stage in the disease pathway.

[Baroness Manzoor (Con)]

My Lords, frequently in the House questions have been raised about the shortage and accessibility of some drugs to NHS patients. With this drug, there are concerns around its efficacy and effectiveness. How is the issue being communicated to patients who are using this drug, because they are vulnerable consumers and patients? How will the Government ensure the efficacy of other drugs and treatments in its place?

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My noble friend raises a very important point about communication. When patients are in receipt of drugs and surgery, it is a very vulnerable time, and it is important they are communicated to in an appropriate manner. Takeda has worked closely with the MHRA, the NHS, and the clinical and patient communities to ensure that details of the withdrawal have been appropriately communicated to the lung cancer community. There is also a direct communication to healthcare professionals, to be distributed together with details of compassionate use programmes. This drug will still be available currently and in the future. Regarding efficacy, it is important that, when drugs are brought to the market, they are successful and do what they were brought on the market to do. If that is not the case, they need to come to an end, unfortunately.