NICE has recommended breast cancer drug Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) following an increase in the cost effectiveness thresholds as part of the UK-US Pharmaceutical Pricing Agreement.
The drug, manufactured by Daiichi Sankyo and Astra Zeneca, is used to treat women with HER2-low advanced or metastatic breast cancer whose disease has progressed following treatment.
It will now be available for NHS treatment and 1000 women with incurable breast cancer will now be able to access this life-extending drug.
NICE had been unable to recommend Enhertu since 2018 at the price proposed by the companies.
The increase in NICE's cost effectiveness thresholds, a parameter to establish if a medicine provides the taxpayer value for money, came into effect in April, and a new method for assessing quality of life was published on 27 August.
Clinical trials show that Enhertu helps people with HER2-low advanced breast cancer live longer, and can also increase the time before their cancer gets worse compared with standard chemotherapy.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, "I'm pleased that a commercial solution, alongside recent changes to NICE's cost-effectiveness thresholds and the use of new methods for assessing quality-of-life, has meant this treatment can now be provided on the NHS.
"However, we know this decision comes too late for many families, and our thoughts are with them today. Our role is important in ensuring NHS spending on new medicines reflects the benefits they deliver while protecting valuable health resources for other essential patient services."
Dr Anne Rigg, consultant medical oncologist and NHS England’s national specialty adviser for chemotherapy, said, "This is hugely positive news for women with secondary breast cancer who will now be offered this life-extending treatment on the NHS, giving them the opportunity for more time with their loved ones.
"We know how important this will be for women and families affected, and we have shared their determination to find a way to make Enhertu available to everyone who could benefit, so we’re very pleased that a commercial solution has now been agreed with the drug companies which means women can access it from today."
