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Axa PPP agrees to fund prostate cancer drug
February 08, 2012
A spokesman for Axa PPP has confirmed that the private medical insurance firm will now pay for prostate cancer drug abiraterone.
A drug recently rejected for use on the NHS will be covered by private medical insurance firm Axa PPP.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has issued draft guidance that does not recommend the use of abiraterone for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
This means that unless the institute changes its stance ahead of publishing final guidance, the drug will not be routinely available for use on the NHS in England and Wales.
But Axa PPP has confirmed that it will pay for abiraterone so that policyholders with late-stage prostate cancer can access the drug.
A spokesman for the company told the Guardian: "We have done this because we believe it is the right thing to do."
Abiraterone is already covered by private medical insurance policies held with Bupa and WPA.
However, campaigners hope that NICE will change its mind before issuing final guidance and make the drug available on the NHS.
Owen Sharp, chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, said the therapy can prolong the lives of men with incurable disease and urged the institute to overturn its draft decision.
AXA PPP Healthcare
