Bupa, AXA PPP, WPA and Aviva will cover prostate cancer drug Abiraterone

After we previously reported that prostate cancer drug abiraterone has been deemed by NICE as too expensive for use on the NHS, health insurers are now coming forward to offer cover for the drug.

NICE had cited the cost of at least £63,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) as being too much for the NHS, despite the drug prolonging patients’ lives by around three months.

However, the decision has prompted numerous health insurers to come forward and state that they will cover the drug.

Bupa, WPA, AXA PPP and Aviva will all cover patients for use of abiraterone on their policy. John Dubois, a spokesman for AXA PPP, told the Guardian: "We have done this because we believe it is the right thing to do."

AXA PPP recently revealed its new commitment to heart and cancer cover, removing all cost and time limits for licensed cancer drugs.

Dr Annabel Bentley, medical director of Bupa Health and Wellbeing, also told the paper that it was already funding the drug for members.

"If a cancer drug is licensed by the European Medicines Agency and is clinically appropriate for our members, we will fund it regardless of cost.

"Bupa routinely funds abiraterone for members whose prostate cancer has spread. We fund cancer treatments for as long they are needed and we do not apply cost or time limits."

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