Mesothelioma

Alimta can extend and improve the quality of life of There is a responsibility to provide adequate medication for people who suffer from this disease, especially in view of the terrible pain many endure.

This is the only drug licensed to treat this rare form of cancer, which is terminal in all cases.

Alimta has been available in Scotland since July 2005, based on the advice of the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC).

However, resulting from a decision taken by an English healthcare bureaucracy, this arrangement will end.

Asbestos campaigners accept it is not appropriate to prescribe this treatment in all cases of However, access to the drug will be denied to suitable future patients on purely economic grounds.

Many employers were negligent in protecting workers from exposure to asbestos dust.

The decision of the SMC to make Alimta available on the NHS remains in the best interests of asbestos sufferers.

To deny access to the drug is inhumane.

Asbestos support groups, trades unions and many MSPs agree that this treatment should remain freely available to patients in Scotland.

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