By Martyn Halle PUBLISHED: 17:00 EST, 9 March 2013 | UPDATED: 17:00 EST, 9 March 2013 Two skin cancer drugs previously denied to NHS patients are now saving lives after finally getting the green light from the Government’s drugs rationing body. Yervoy and Zelboraf have been approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence – which initially said they were too expensive – and are now being offered to patients whose tumours have spread to other parts of the body. This once meant almost certain death. The drugs are being hailed as one of the biggest breakthroughs in treating advanced malignant melanoma in three decades.
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Drugs Yervoy and Zelboraf given NHS approval
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Initially considered too expensive for NHS patients
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Biggest break in skin cancer treatment in 30 years
At the time of our campaign, one cancer doctor said: ‘@placeholder can prolong patients’ lives, possibly for years.