NHS denies 'effective' cancer drugs due to cost
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Campaigners expressed outrage yesterday at a decision to deny four drug treatments to NHS patients with advanced kidney cancer.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) issued draft guidance rejecting the drugs Sutent (sunitinib), Avastin (bevacizumab), Nexavar (sorafenib) and Torisel (temsirolimus). This leaves patients with only one treatment option – interferon.
Professor John Wagstaff, from the South Wales Cancer Institute, said there was "no point" in him accepting referrals for people with advanced kidney cancer as 75 per cent of them "do not gain any real benefit" from interferon.
The guidance rejects the drugs because they are not cost effective. They do not cure, but can extend life by a matter of months. Professor Peter Littlejohns, the clinical and public health director at Nice, said: "Although these treatments are clinically effective, regrettably, the cost to the NHS is such that they are not a cost-effective use of NHS resources."
James Whale, the broadcaster who lost a kidney to cancer in 2000, said: "If final guidance remains... it will mean an early death sentence for many."
the big question, page 36
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments