UK is falling behind in uptake of cancer drugs
Uptake of new drugs for cancer in the UK is behind that of many countries, according to a recent Swedish report sponsored by Roche Pharmaceuticals (Annals of Oncology 2007;18:S3).
The report says that Austria, France, Switzerland and the US are seen
as leaders in the uptake of new cancer drugs, as measured by sales of
these drugs from 1995 to 2005. The uptake is regarded as low and slow
in New Zealand, Poland, the Czech Republic, South Africa and the UK.
The report is critical of the effect of economic evaluations — such
as National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisals — on
the availability of new cancer drugs, and questions the capacity of NICE
to undertake reviews in a timely manner.
NICE has criticised the report, saying that it is “flawed, inaccurate
and directly contradicts itself in places”. NICE says that the
report fails to acknowledge NICE’s rapid appraisal process, launched
in 2005, and does not explain that the NICE appraisal process takes longer
than that of the Scottish Medicines Consortium because it allows for
an independent assessment of drug manufacturer evidence and public consultation.
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Hospital
Pharmacist