Immunologist launches campaign to secure access to life-prolonging drug for cancer patients

The drug, also known as pembro, stimulates the body's immune system to fight cancer cells, and is licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) mainly for advanced cancers.

A leading immunologist has started a national search for people who have been refused funding to be treated with a drug that prolonged the life of cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan.

Prof Bernard Mahon has launched the search as part of his campaign to ensure everyone — regardless of whether you have private health insurance for not — has access to pembrolizumab.

The drug, also known as pembro, stimulates the body's immune system to fight cancer cells, and is licensed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) mainly for advanced cancers.

Ms Phelan credited it with having given her three more years than she would have expected if she had just stayed on chemotherapy.

The cancer campaigner, who died in November 2022, successfully fought to have the 221 women affected by the cervical screening scandal given access to it free of charge.

Mr Mahon is working with several TDs to compile a national list of people looking for treatment with the drug.

“Sadly, I already know of one case of a man who was denied access to the drug and he died,” he said.

I also know of a new case in Cork, where a man in his 70s has been refused access to the drug

"I want to get a number of people together so that we take this on as a united body of people rather than individuals having to fight this on their own."

'Humanitarian grounds'

Mr Mahon, who has himself late stage stomach cancer, was initially refused access to treatment with pembro by his private health insurer, Laya Healthcare.

However, it changed its mind on “humanitarian grounds” after he and his children ran a social media campaign of awareness about it.

The 62-year-old, whose case was covered by the  Irish Examiner last year, has been given access to six months worth of treatment and recently underwent tests to see if he needs any more treatment.

“I don’t think I can say I’m all clear, but all the secondary tumours and the main tumour have shrunk,” he said.

Before I started on the drug, I had little more than 12 months left to live but I've definitely got more than that now

“This treatment has definitely brought me more time.

He added: "What really annoys me about the response from the Government to date is that people should basically shop around for better health insurance.

“That just puts the blame for not being treated using a therapy like pembro back on to patients."