On March 5, 2009, the Daily Mail/Mail Online reported that two drugs for advanced breast cancer and a rare form of stomach cancer were too expensive for the NHS. One drug, Lapatinib, can halve the speed of growth of breast cancer in one in five women with an aggressive form of the disease.
Dr Gillian Leng, Nice deputy chief executive, said 'The committee concluded that Lapatinib is not a cost-effective use of NHS resources when compared with current treatment.'
Up to 1,500 stomach cancer patients also face a ban on Sutent – the only drug that can extend their lives.
Draft guidance by Nice said the drug should not be used even though it approved its use for kidney cancer last month.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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