MORE than 50 victims of asbestos-related cancer may now get a new drug on the NHS after a U-turn by North-East health officials.

In an unexpected development yesterday, North-East NHS chief executives issued a joint statement agreeing to pay for patients suffering from mesothelioma to receive the chemotherapy drug Alimta.

Although it is not a cure for mesothelioma, which is caused by inhaling asbestos fibres, it has been shown that Alimta can extend lives and reduce distressing symptoms.

Until now, NHS organisations in the region had refused to fund treatment with the drug because it had not been assessed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).

The body, set up by the Government to approve new drugs for the NHS, is not due to deliver its verdict on Alimta until October next year.

Mesothelioma sufferer Jeff Hurrell, a father-of-four from Norton, near Stockton, who was forced to travel to London recently to get Alimta, said: "It has taken months of hard work, by a dedicated team of people, but today, I feel, marks a turning point for the patients who need this drug now."

Ian McFall, head of asbestos litigation at Newcastle law firm Thompsons welcomed the decision.

He said: "The NHS in the North-East took the view that it would withhold treatment until the review, which was expected next year. Many of our patients would not live to see the outcome, that is why action had to be taken."

Mr McFall said his firm had been preparing to take North-East NHS organisations to the High Court to seek a judicial review against their refusal to fund Alimta.

The NHS statement said: "NHS organisations across the North East of England have agreed today that patients with mesothelioma - a form of lung cancer - who doctors consider to be clinically appropriate, will receive the drug Alimta. From today, such patients should have access to Alimta where it is considered beneficial."

Each course of treatment costs £24,000.