Watchdog Rejects Life Extending Drugs
Health Watchdog has rejected the lung cancer pill Tarceva which could extend the lives of three thousand lung cancer sufferers
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence(NICE) have rejected treatment for lung cancer as they have refused to fund it. The drug Tarceva could prolong life for over three thousand lung cancer sufferers and is said to be crucial as it could be effective for 80% of lung cancer patients.
Tarceva costs just under £7,000 for a course but this drug could supoosedly extend the lives of those who are suffering lung cancer.
NICE claim that Tarceva is no better than cheaper alternatives. Tarceva costs £1,700 a month per patient. NICE suggests it is too expensive and not cost effective as the NHS cannot afford to pay that amount of money on drugs that do not have a 99.9% success rate.
Although NICE has not recommended the use of Tarceva, the decision will not be finalised until 2007.
Tarceva costs just under £7,000 for a course but this drug could supoosedly extend the lives of those who are suffering lung cancer.
NICE claim that Tarceva is no better than cheaper alternatives. Tarceva costs £1,700 a month per patient. NICE suggests it is too expensive and not cost effective as the NHS cannot afford to pay that amount of money on drugs that do not have a 99.9% success rate.
Although NICE has not recommended the use of Tarceva, the decision will not be finalised until 2007.