Pfizer: Breast cancer drug to be given to women for free pending NHS appraisal
A DRUG described as one of the most important advances in treating breast cancer in the past 20 years is to be given to women for free while the NHS appraises it.
Breast Cancer Symptoms, Signs and Types
Pfizer said it will supply Ibrance (palbociclib) for up to five months to eligible women until a final decision is made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) on its use across the NHS.
In February, Nice issued draft guidance rejecting the drug on cost grounds but this caused uproar among charities and cancer experts.
Ibrance is for women with hormone-positive, HER2 negative breast cancer that has spread around the body and which has previously not been treated.
This is an unexpected lifeline for thousands of women living with this type of breast cancer
Research presented at the world's biggest cancer conference in Chicago last June showed that women taking Ibrance with another common drug (an aromatase inhibitor) lived 10 months longer without their cancer getting worse as those given standard treatment.
Typically, they enjoyed 24.8 months without their cancer progressing compared with 14.5 months for women on usual treatment. Some women had much better results.
In February, the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and Breast Cancer Now condemned the move by Nice, calling for urgent discussions with Pfizer to reduce the price of the drug.
Dr Nicholas Turner, team leader in molecular oncology at the ICR, who also works at the Royal Marsden and was on the Nice panel for the drug, led the ICR's clinical trial of Ibrance.
He said at the time: “Palbociclib is one of the most important advances in treating the most common type of breast cancer in 20 years.
“Clinical trials show the drug can substantially slow the progression of the disease and help delay chemotherapy, which often has life-limiting side-effects.“
It is thought around 6,000 people per year would be eligible for treatment with Ibrance.
The drug is given as a once-daily capsule and its list price is £2,950 for a pack of 21 capsules.
Pfizer has agreed that women who take the drug during the free period will not be taken off it if Nice rejects the drug again. They will be able to continue taking the drug for the duration of their treatment.
Fiona Hazell, director of policy and engagement at Breast Cancer Now, said: “This is an unexpected lifeline for thousands of women living with this type of breast cancer.
“We are delighted that Pfizer have listened to our campaigners and have found a way to enable patients to access this first-in-class drug in the short term.
“While only an interim measure, more than 16 women every day could have their lives changed by this drug during this window.
“Palbociclib can offer a large proportion of patients with incurable metastatic breast cancer significant extra time before their disease progresses - time that can be truly invaluable to them and their loved ones.
“We'd encourage any patients who think they may be eligible to speak to their doctors.
“Crucially, we also urge Pfizer and all NHS trusts and Health Boards to ensure agreements are put in place as soon as possible to deliver this programme and maximise the potential of this opportunity.“