Heartbreak as breast cancer patients are denied life-extending drug - and their last Christmas with their families By Kate Pickles Health Editor and Olivia Christie Published: 20:02 EDT, 25 September 2024 | Updated: 20:11 EDT, 25 September 2024 e-mail View comments Breast cancer patients refused a life-extending drug are being denied a last Christmas with loved ones, charities warn. Regulator Nice confirmed yesterday its new criteria to determine the cost-effectiveness of medicines for the NHS will be upheld, following a review. These give greater weight to drugs for the most severe diseases whereas the previous focus was on end-of-life treatment.
Campaigners say the changes led to Enhertu being refused on cost grounds earlier this year, despite being available in Scotland and across Europe. Breast cancer patients refused a life-extending drug are being denied a last Christmas with loved ones, charities warn (stock photo) Regulator Nice confirmed yesterday its new criteria to determine the cost-effectiveness of medicines for the NHS will be upheld, following a review (stock photo) Nice concluded the new 'severity modifier' is working as intended and allows more medicines for severe, often life-long conditions to be recommended on the NHS. It claimed a higher proportion of medicines have been granted since its introduction – at 84.
4 per cent compared with 82.7 per cent using the old measures. The change, they said, also means positive recommendations for treatments for cysti.