Cancer charities have criticised the decision by the NHS treatment watchdog to reject an innovative new drug to treat ovarian cancer on the grounds of cost.

NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, said in draft guidance it was disappointed that it must turn down olaparib (Lynparza), but the price tag of more than £49,000 a year was considerably higher than its ceiling of £20,000 to £30,000. When tests to assess patient suitability for the drug are included, the price rises higher still.

However, cancer charities were dismayed, pointing out that the death toll in ovarian cancer was very high and that the drug was available elsewhere in Europe. Cancer Research UK said the decision was “hard to understand”. The Institute of Cancer Research said the “frustrating delay will prevent around 450 women each year from being able to access a beneficial treatment”.

The drug is for women who have the most common form of ovarian cancer and a mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which make them highly susceptible to the disease. Actor Angelina Jolie, who has the BRCA1 mutation, had her ovaries removed as well as a double mastectomy.

For more details, go to: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/01/ovarian-cancer-patients-denied-drug-cost-olaparib-nice