Kidney cancer drug rejected for being 'expensive'
Kidney cancer drug rejected for being 'expensive'
Tuesday, 09, Feb 2010 01:30
By Richard James.
A drug to treat kidney cancer has been rejected for use on the NHS by the health watchdog due to the cost of treatments.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) said everolimus was "expensive" and there was limited data on how much it can extend patients' lives.
Novartis, the manufacturer of the drug, declared while it was not a cure for kidney cancer it did offer people a longer and better quality of life.
The drug is said to be suitable for patients who have failed on vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy, a first-line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma.
According to Nice, everolimus costs £2,970 for 30 tablets, with an eight-week cycle costing £5,544.
Novartis claims it offered a scheme whereby the first treatment was free, with subsequent treatment offered at a discounted rate.
The offer was rejected by the health watchdog though.
Commenting, Professor Peter Littlejohns, Nice clinical and public health director, said: "We are disappointed not to be able to recommend everolimus as a second-line treatment option for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.
"But NHS resources are limited and Nice has to decide which treatments represent best value to the patient as well as the NHS.
"Although evidence implies that this treatment is clinically effective, there is limited data about how long it can extend life. Everolimus is an expensive drug and we have to be sure the evidence on its effectiveness is robust before we recommend it. We do not want to divert NHS funds to a treatment that costs more but doesn't help people live longer."
Novartis has said it plans to challenge the Nice decision.