NHS rejects cancer drug as too expensive

By Charlotte Beugge

A cancer drug which can extend the life of men with terminal cancer has been provisionally rejected for prescription on the NHS as although it is effective, it is too expensive.

The drug known as Abiraterone costs nearly £3,000 a month and can extend the life of a man with terminal prostate cancer by more than three months.

According to the BBC, the chief executive of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), Sir Andrew Dillon, said the drug was effective, particularly as it could be taken orally by the patient at home rather than needing hospital treatment.

But he added that NICE was "disappointed not to be able to recommend it for use on the NHS, however it is an expensive drug".

Each year around 37,000 British men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 10,000 die from it. The Prostate Cancer Charity said the draft decision - which could be overturned - was a "bitter blow".

Cancer Research UK said there is one other drug which is available on the NHS which prolongs the life of terminally-ill prostate cancer sufferers but it is less effective and has more severe side effects.

The Daily Mirror says that while those given abiraterone typically live for four months, there are two given the drug in 2007 who are still alive. If you have medical insurance, there may be a limit on the amount it will pay for wonder drugs.