Posted by Michael Wonder on 11 Aug 2016
A novel UK approach to cancer access: yes, no, or maybe?
10 August 2016 - What are the implications of the new, reinvigorated Cancer Drugs Fund, for pharma and patients?
A recent webinar discussion on changes to England’s CDF, hosted by IMS Health and pharmaphorum, began with an exclusive, as panellist Nina Pinwill revealed that she would play a key role in running the scheme.
Pinwill, currently associate director at NICE’s Office for Market Access, will become operational lead for the CDF in NHS England, beginning this autumn. It’s a job with a daunting remit – ensuring the CDF does not overspend its £340 million budget, while also striving to allow patients access to critical medicines.
The new CDF is a very different beast from the one it replaces. The old scheme was £126 million overspent, despite several attempts by NHS England to de-list drugs not perceived as delivering value. Something clearly had to give, but whether the new arrangements succeed in bringing expensive cancer drugs to patients, while still balancing the books, remains to be seen.
