Velcade is one of several new treatments being fast-tracked

Robert Bywaters, 75, has bone marrow cancer and said he has been told he needs a new treatment called Velcade, but the drug has not yet been approved.

It is one of several new treatments being fast-tracked for assessment for use nationally.

West Cornwall PCT says that Velcade will only be made available once it has been approved.

'Chance of living'

But Mr Bywaters said the drug should be given as Herceptin has been given to some women with breast cancer.

Velcade is the first of a new class of drugs which work by targeting a tiny structure within the cell called the proteasome.

Already in use in the US, Velcade has been approved for use in Europe following a fast-track review by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency.

Mr Bywaters, from Helston, has had multiple myeloma off and on for 10 years but recently his health has begun to deteriorate.

But West Cornwall Primary Care Trust wrote to Mr Bywaters last week to say Velcade would only be made available once it has been approved for use nationally.

His only other option would be to appeal as a special case.

'Better chance'

In a statement, the trust said: "The recent situation in respect of the cancer drug Herceptin has resulted in an increase in NICE activity being planned.

"It is of note that the drug Velcade is listed as being in the first tranche of drugs to be fast tracked through the NICE system, and it is anticipated that it will be reviewed with guidance appearing at some time after June 2006.

"Once guidance has been received, PCTs will be in a better position to look at funding".

But Mr Bywaters believes time is running out.

"The quicker (I get the drug) - I've got a better chance of living," he said.

"Without it, I will die. Simple as that."