Posted by Michael Wonder on 28 Mar 2017
NICE says pancreatic cancer drug is not cost effective for routine NHS use
28 March 2017 - NICE says that a drug for metastatic pancreatic cancer is not beneficial enough to justify its high cost for routine NHS use.
Pegylated liposomal irinotecan is used for treating metastatic pancreatic cancer that has progressed after being treated by a different therapy.
Nearly 10,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year in the UK, and life expectancy after diagnosis is between 2 and 6 months.
The committee found that the health-related benefits were very similar to existing treatment but the costs were much higher.
The committee recognised the need for new treatments in this area, and understood the importance of improving and extending lives for those who are diagnosed with this condition.
