Novartis' Afinitor (everolimus) will be removed from the Cancer Drugs Fund list when NHS England announces which drugs it can no longer afford, Pharmafile has learned.

The drug is currently included in the CDF list for HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer (where it was NICE-rejected last year), first or second line pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNET), and second line advanced renal carcinoma. 

But following NHS England’s decision to re-evaluate the drugs included in the list, Pharmafile has learned that the drug will be removed for all three indications, in a move a source described as ‘devastating for patients’ diagnosed with these cancers. 

Novartis was informed of the likely outcome of the NHS England review at a meeting this week in advance of the formal publication of the revised CDF list, expected in the coming days.

The Swiss giant is ‘particularly disappointed’ that Afinitor has been de-listed for PNET, as the drug has not been assessed by NICE for this indication - meaning the company’s submission was assessed and evaluated in a drastically reduced timeframe compared with a standard NICE technology appraisal. 

In a statement to Pharmafile, Novartis says the NHS England decision is based on methodology that is "unacceptable as it is insufficiently robust and transparent", and which included "a crude cost element which does not reflect the true value of cancer drugs."

"We strongly urge NHS England to stop the process now and enter into constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to find an equitable solution, including immediate steps to reform the NICE process."

For more details, go to: http://www.pharmafile.com/news/197154/exclusive-novartis-drug-struck-cancer-drugs-fund?