NHS drug watchdog rejects terminal breast cancer drug

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) regulators have stated they will not recommend pembrolizumab for one of the deadliest types of breast cancer, claiming the immunotherapy drug known as Keytruda is not an acceptable use of NHS case.

 

NICE acknowledged sufferers and their families would find the move “disappointing”, with around 600 women in England set to be affected by the decision.

 

Trials have shown the drug can give women with secondary triple negative breast cancer an additional seven months to live, completed to those who received chemotherapy alone.

 

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, said the drug could give patients “precious extra time” and called on NICE and drug manufacturer Merck to work together to reverse the decision, which will be finalised at the end of March following further consultation.

 

Baroness Morgan went on to say “We’re deeply disappointed that NICE is provisionally unable to recommend pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy.

 

“It could bring certain patients with secondary triple negative breast cancer an important, additional treatment option.

 

“People living with this particularly aggressive form of breast cancer face a poorer prognosis, and until recently, extremely limited first-line treatment options.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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