Kidney cancer drug rejected over cost

Tue Feb 9 2010 16:18:42

A drug to treat advanced kidney cancer has been rejected for use on the NHS in draft guidance, because of its cost.

Drugs watchdog the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) said that everolimus (Afinitor) is clinically effective, but that there is limited data on how much it can extend people's lives,

The drug's manufacturer Novartis insists it offers patients a longer and better quality of life.

However, it costs £2,970 for 30 tablets, with an eight-week cycle costing £5,544, according to Nice figures.

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."

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