WQ92349 (e) Tabled on 22/03/2024

Will the Minister make a statement on whether Abiraterone 500mg film-coated tablets can be prescribed on the Welsh NHS?

Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care | Answered on 09/04/2024

Abiraterone is routinely available for all indications which have been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).  This includes NICE’s recommendation that abiraterone should be routinely available in combination with olaparib for the treatment of untreated hormone-relapsed metastatic prostate cancer published on 7 February. 

In addition to being available for NICE approved licensed indications, abiraterone is also routinely available in Wales for off-label use in combination with prednisolone for the treatment of non-metastatic and locally advanced, high-risk, hormone-sensitive prostate cancer where clinically appropriate.

The New Treatment Fund requires health boards and NHS Trusts to make medicines recommended by NICE and the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group routinely available no later than two months after a recommendation is made.