Hello and thanks for your posting,

We can't really comment in depth about other countries drug developments, as that is not possible to keep fully abreast of, due to our resource constraints, and also isn't the core purpose of the nurse team's remit. These days, most medical research does tend to get shared globally, and often at cancer/medical conferences. This is where current best practice is shared, and any new drugs in development, or in clinical trial, or recent clinical use, are discussed amongst specialists and experts.

We do have information on prostate-cancer/research-clinical-trials

NICE (national institute for health care excellence), in England and Wales appraises the clinical evidence for any new drugs, and decides if they are to be used within the NHS.

There is a new immunotherapy drug for advanced-prostate-cancer that was announced last week. Do discuss any questions concerning this with your hospital team who can comment further on this.

I hope this is useful,

Best wishes,

Vanda

Hi wozzo

Nurse Vanda has answered your question in detail. The key point is whether NICE approve a drug for use on NHS. As the pharmaceutical industry is global you can get most approved drugs if you pay for them. The immunotherapy drug I receive is £4700 per infusion plus cost of medical care. £90,000 per year privately. Many health insurance plans do not cover this type of treatment. Luckily it is available on NHS if a patient meets the criteria. Otherwise you need deep pockets or sell your home to access non Nice approved drugs.

Ed