Number of cancer drugs being rejected by health watchdog rises 50% in two years

NICE is saying no to more treatments than it did before Cancer Drugs Fund was introduced. campaigners say Fund set up by Government was intended to supplement the number of drugs available Drugs turned down last year include treatments for advanced breast cancer and prostate cancer

By Sophie Borland Health Reporter

PUBLISHED: 18:40 EST, 28 August 2012 | UPDATED: 18:41 EST, 28 August 2012

The number of cancer drugs being rejected by the health watchdog has risen by 50 per cent in two years, a report has revealed.

Campaigners say NICE is saying no to more treatments since the Government introduced its flagship Cancer Drugs Fund, which was meant to supplement the number available.

Since 2010, ministers have set aside 200million a year for the fund to pay for cancer drugs which have not been approved by NICE for use on the NHS but which doctors think may help patients.

Turned down: Drugs rejected by the health watchdog last year include treatments for advanced breast cancer, bowel cancer and prostate cancer

But a leading charity is concerned that since the scheme was set up, the watchdog knows it can afford not to make some drugs available because patients may be able to get them anyway through the fund.

A report by the Rarer Cancers Foundation shows that in 2011/12 11 new treatments were rejected by NICE many because they were not cost-effective out of 19 put forward.

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Number of cancer drugs being rejected by health watchdog rises 50% in two years