All news
Nice rejects breast cancer drug fulvestrant for NHS use
November 10, 2011
Nice has advised against the routine prescription of breast cancer drug fulvestrant by the NHS.
Patients in England and Wales with a particular type of breast cancer will not be able to get a new drug called fulvestrant on the NHS, according to new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).
Nice's appraisal committee has issued its latest draft guidance which advises against routinely prescribing the drug to women with oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.
The decision means patients will be unlikely to get access to the therapy unless they have private medical insurance or pay for the drug themselves.
Sir Andrew Dillon, the institute's chief executive, explained: "While there is evidence that fulvestrant can delay the growth of breast cancer, our independent committee found that when used according to its marketing authorisation, its effectiveness is uncertain compared to aromatase inhibitors, which are currently the preferred treatment options on the NHS."
He added that fulvestrant is not proven to be cost-effective and that the institute therefore cannot justify diverting NHS funds from other areas of healthcare.
Maria Leadbeater, clinical nurse specialist at Breast Cancer Care, told the Press Association that the decision was "disappointing news" for patients and their families.
Private Health Insurance News
