Calquence in the UK

[Challain]

I am new here, living in TX , USA at the moment, and due to start on Calquence in a few weeks time. I have US Health Insurance.

I may be moving back to the UK, early next year, so would have to go back to the NHS.

Is Calquence available on the UK NHS ?

There is an interesting article on Yahoo, saving that Astra Zenica are holding trials of this against Covid 19 - might survive on both counts ???

[Solentgirl]

Hi Challain, Yes calquence ( Named Acalabrutinib in UK) is available here in UK as I have been taking it since 9th September of this year as first line treatment because of Covid.

Best Wishes

Teresa

[Challain in reply to Solentgirl]

Hi Teresa, I got this reply from Etheldredsa

"Hi, Calquence is available in a trial, but it's not licenced yet in Europe or the UK, so NHS is not funding it, nor is our private insurance. Now, during the pandemic, AZ has made it available to people over 65,"

So how do you get it ??

Cheers,

Challain

[Solentgirl in reply to Challain]

Because I needed treatment as my lymphocytes had doubled in 6 months and Hemoglobin had dropped below 10. Even though Acalabrutinib is not licensed in UK yet it's being given as first line treatment instead of FCR because of Covid situation. Astra Zenica are only offering this to patients who need treatment while the pandemic is going on. There are a few people on this forum who are also being treated with Acalabrutinib/ Calquence in UK for this reason. Hope this helps.

Best wishes

Teresa

[Etheldreda]

Hi, Calquence is available in a trial, but it's not licenced yet in Europe or the UK, so NHS is not funding it, nor is our private insurance. Now, during the pandemic, AZ has made it available to people over 65, and under 65 if other problems are present. Calquence is going through the approval process in the UK and a ruling should be made soon as to whether they recommend it to be available here in the UK.

It's up in the air!

Hope that helps.

[Challain in reply to Etheldreda]

Thanks, if you hear any more, please let me know,

Challain

[Random78 in reply to Challain]

Keep an eye on the NICE website. If its available in the UK (either routinely or through the Cancer Drugs Fund) it will be listed. It is currently being appraised see link below. Of course there are other options for clinical consultants to make decisions regarding treatment, including continuing what has already been in place. You dont say which part of the UK you will be living in, but England, Wales and Northern Ireland follow NICE guidelines and Scotland has their own system Scottish Medicines Consortium. Also residency criteria may affect availability.

nice.org.uk/guidance/indeve...

[Random78 in reply to Random78]

Also,it is already licensed somewhere as the NICE generally only appraises licensed meds...indeed the link I posted talks about the use of the drug within its marketing authorisation (license), but the scope says not in the UK at present.

[Challain in reply to Random78]

Hi, thanks, I am in the USA at the moment, (and have insurance) - Calquence is approved and I should start on it on Dec 7th.

Problem is I was planning on returning to England - as soon as I dare get on a plane - hopefully next Spring - but then I hoped I would get the drug on the NHS.

Thought about NICE - so I will look it up.

Cheers,

Malcolm