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NHS says no to new breast cancer drug Kadcyla | NHS says no to new breast cancer drug Kadcyla |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A pioneering new breast cancer treatment will not be routinely available in England, the NHS drugs advisory body NICE is proposing. | A pioneering new breast cancer treatment will not be routinely available in England, the NHS drugs advisory body NICE is proposing. |
The drug - Kadcyla - adds six months of life on average to women dying with an aggressive form of breast cancer. | The drug - Kadcyla - adds six months of life on average to women dying with an aggressive form of breast cancer. |
NICE criticised makers Roche for not setting an affordable price, in its updated draft guidance. | NICE criticised makers Roche for not setting an affordable price, in its updated draft guidance. |
The drug costs £90,000 per patient but Roche said it had offered a lower - undisclosed - price in recent talks. | The drug costs £90,000 per patient but Roche said it had offered a lower - undisclosed - price in recent talks. |
The two organisations have been in negotiations since the first draft guidance from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), rejecting the drug, was published in April. | The two organisations have been in negotiations since the first draft guidance from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), rejecting the drug, was published in April. |
While this latest guidance is only the final draft version, there tends not to be any major changes when the official recommendations are published - normally a few months after this stage. | |
The original cost of Kadcyla worked out at £90,000 per patient - that is based on the standard 14 months of treatment. | The original cost of Kadcyla worked out at £90,000 per patient - that is based on the standard 14 months of treatment. |
Roche said it had offered to lower the price "substantially", but NICE said the new price - which is not being disclosed - made little difference. | Roche said it had offered to lower the price "substantially", but NICE said the new price - which is not being disclosed - made little difference. |
'Huge blow' | 'Huge blow' |
Kadcyla is used to treat people with HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be surgically removed. | Kadcyla is used to treat people with HER2-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and cannot be surgically removed. |
About a fifth of breast cancer cases are HER2-positive, and it is thought this drug could benefit 1,500 women a year. | About a fifth of breast cancer cases are HER2-positive, and it is thought this drug could benefit 1,500 women a year. |
It works by seeking out and destroying cancerous cells, attacking them from within. | It works by seeking out and destroying cancerous cells, attacking them from within. |
Its novel action means it is unlikely to cause the side-effects, such as hair loss, seen with many other types of chemotherapy. | Its novel action means it is unlikely to cause the side-effects, such as hair loss, seen with many other types of chemotherapy. |
NICE chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said: "We are really disappointed that Roche were not able to demonstrate more flexibility. | NICE chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon said: "We are really disappointed that Roche were not able to demonstrate more flexibility. |
"The company is well aware that we could not have recommended Kadcyla at the price it proposed." | "The company is well aware that we could not have recommended Kadcyla at the price it proposed." |
Dr Jayson Dallas, of Roche, said: "NICE's rejection of Kadcyla demonstrates quite simply that their current system is broken, not fit for purpose and in need of a complete overhaul when it comes to advanced cancer." | Dr Jayson Dallas, of Roche, said: "NICE's rejection of Kadcyla demonstrates quite simply that their current system is broken, not fit for purpose and in need of a complete overhaul when it comes to advanced cancer." |
Mia Rosenblatt, head of policy and campaigns at Breast Cancer Campaign, said the news was a "huge blow". | Mia Rosenblatt, head of policy and campaigns at Breast Cancer Campaign, said the news was a "huge blow". |
"It is vital that this is not the end of the line for Kadcyla in respect of NICE approval, and we ask NICE and Roche to urgently revisit their negotiations to find a solution." | "It is vital that this is not the end of the line for Kadcyla in respect of NICE approval, and we ask NICE and Roche to urgently revisit their negotiations to find a solution." |
It means the only way women will be able to get access to the treatment is through the Cancer Drugs Fund, for which their doctors would have to make special requests. | It means the only way women will be able to get access to the treatment is through the Cancer Drugs Fund, for which their doctors would have to make special requests. |
Since April more than 200 women have been given Kadcyla in this way, but the Cancer Drugs Fund is due to end in 2016. | Since April more than 200 women have been given Kadcyla in this way, but the Cancer Drugs Fund is due to end in 2016. |
While the guidance applies only to England, officials in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland do consider NICE recommendations. None of them currently fund the drug. | While the guidance applies only to England, officials in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland do consider NICE recommendations. None of them currently fund the drug. |