Approving expensive new treatments without regard to cost would be a 'huge risk' for the NHS, NICE's chairman has said.

Professor David Haslam, former RCGP chairman and president, defended NICE's decision-making on new drugs, saying it was 'an inescapable and global truth that funding for healthcare is limited'.

Professor Haslam also questioned why drug development costs are so high.

NICE has faced years of criticism over decisions not to approve new treatments based on high cost.

The government set up the Cancer Drug Fund in 2011 to give patients access to treatments blocked or yet to be evaluated by NICE. The scheme has been extended to 2016.

Speaking at the NICE annual conference in Birmingham on Tuesday, Professor Haslam said patients in other countries may have access to 'hugely expensive' treatments blocked by NICE.

For more details, go to: http://www.gponline.com/ignoring-drug-costs-risks-nhs-crash-nice-warns/article/1294257?