NICE rejects Roche cancer drug

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has rejected Roche’s once-daily cancer treatment Tarceva, claiming it is of limited use and too costly for the government health service, it has emerged.

Britain’s main drug cost-effectiveness regulator made the decision following a preliminary conclusion at the end of last year, however, Scotland has recommended Tarceva for use, Reuters reports.

Switzerland-based Roche has criticised the move as “perverse and flawed”, and is planning an appeal, claiming the evidence assessment was unfair.

Meanwhile, NICE chief executive Andrew Dillon said the drug was not as cost-effective as Taxotere, an alternative from Sanofi-Aventis. The decision is to be reviewed next year, since the treatment was acknowledged to be emergent.

In addition, there will be more research from NICE to ascertain whether Tarceva could be of benefit to specific patient sub-groups.

Separately, Roche’s breast cancer treatment Herceptin is currently sparking controversy over the cost-effective use of modern cancer treatments, with much publicity surrounding use of the drug for early treatment of breast cancer.

Last month, the Swiss pharmaceutical firm had its colorectal cancer treatment Avastin recommended by the Japanese ministry of health – a full approval is expected by June.