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Ovarian cancer patients denied innovative drug amid cost concerns Ovarian cancer patients denied innovative drug amid cost concerns
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Cancer charities have criticised the decision by the NHS treatment watchdog to reject an innovative new drug to treat ovarian cancer on the grounds of cost.Cancer charities have criticised the decision by the NHS treatment watchdog to reject an innovative new drug to treat ovarian cancer on the grounds of cost.
Nice, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, said in draft guidance it was disappointed that it must turn down olaparib (Lynparza), but the price tag of more than £49,000 per year was considerably higher than its ceiling of £20,000 to £30,000. When tests to assess patient suitability for the drug are included, the price rises higher still. Nice, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, said in draft guidance it was disappointed that it must turn down olaparib (Lynparza), but the price tag of more than £49,000 a year was considerably higher than its ceiling of £20,000 to £30,000. When tests to assess patient suitability for the drug are included, the price rises higher still.
However, cancer charities were dismayed, pointing out that the death toll in ovarian cancer was very high and that the drug was available elsewhere in Europe. Cancer Research UK said the decision was “hard to understand”. The Institute of Cancer Research said the “frustrating delay will prevent around 450 women each year from being able to access a beneficial treatment”.However, cancer charities were dismayed, pointing out that the death toll in ovarian cancer was very high and that the drug was available elsewhere in Europe. Cancer Research UK said the decision was “hard to understand”. The Institute of Cancer Research said the “frustrating delay will prevent around 450 women each year from being able to access a beneficial treatment”.
The drug is for women who have the most common form of ovarian cancer and a mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which make them highly susceptible to the disease. Actor Angelina Jolie, who has the BRCA1 mutation, had her ovaries removed as well as a double mastectomy.The drug is for women who have the most common form of ovarian cancer and a mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which make them highly susceptible to the disease. Actor Angelina Jolie, who has the BRCA1 mutation, had her ovaries removed as well as a double mastectomy.
Nice, however, said there was not enough evidence on survival to justify the high cost. “Olaparib slows the progression of the disease for patients with some forms of ovarian cancer but the evidence that it can extend life is uncertain,” said Sir Andrew Dillon, the chief executive. “Because patients are already living longer than two years with conventional treatment, we weren’t able to apply the flexibility we can sometimes use when we appraise cancer drugs. Nice, however, said there was not enough conclusive evidence on the drug’s effectiveness to justify the high cost. “Olaparib slows the progression of the disease for patients with some forms of ovarian cancer but the evidence that it can extend life is uncertain,” said Sir Andrew Dillon, the chief executive. “Because patients are already living longer than two years with conventional treatment, we weren’t able to apply the flexibility we can sometimes use when we appraise cancer drugs.
“The cost to the NHS of using this new drug isn’t consistent with the benefits that patients for whom it works will gain and so we were disappointed not to be able to recommend it in this draft guidance.”“The cost to the NHS of using this new drug isn’t consistent with the benefits that patients for whom it works will gain and so we were disappointed not to be able to recommend it in this draft guidance.”
Olaparib was also rejected from the Cancer Drugs Fund last month, which pays for expensive drugs which exceed the Nice threshold. Olaparib was also rejected last month by the Cancer Drugs Fund, which pays for expensive drugs that exceed the Nice threshold.
“The evidence of olaparib’s benefit in women with BRCA-positive ovarian tumours is very clear,” said Prof Paul Workman, chief executive of the Institute of Cancer Research, whose scientists helped develop the drug. “This decision highlights how the current system of drug evaluation and pricing needs reform – in particular to reward the development of innovative drugs that address unmet need in cancer treatment, and which have additional, further potential.”“The evidence of olaparib’s benefit in women with BRCA-positive ovarian tumours is very clear,” said Prof Paul Workman, chief executive of the Institute of Cancer Research, whose scientists helped develop the drug. “This decision highlights how the current system of drug evaluation and pricing needs reform – in particular to reward the development of innovative drugs that address unmet need in cancer treatment, and which have additional, further potential.”
Prof Peter Johnson, chief clinician at Cancer Research UK, said: “The NHS can’t afford to ignore important innovations like this while our ovarian cancer survival rates lag behind the rest of the developed world. We hope that the manufacturer and Nice can work together quickly to reach an agreement which allows the drug to be made available when Nice issues its final guidance.”Prof Peter Johnson, chief clinician at Cancer Research UK, said: “The NHS can’t afford to ignore important innovations like this while our ovarian cancer survival rates lag behind the rest of the developed world. We hope that the manufacturer and Nice can work together quickly to reach an agreement which allows the drug to be made available when Nice issues its final guidance.”