NICE rejects three colorectal cancer drugs

NICE has failed to recommend three treatments for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer that has progressed following first-line chemotherapy.

According to the new draft guidance, Merck Serono’s Erbitux (cetuximab), Roche’s Avastin (bevacizumab) and Amgen’s Vectibix (panitumumab) failed to prove to NICE’s Independent Appraisal Committee that the treatment options were cost-effective.

Andrew Dillon, Chief Executive of NICE, said that six treatments for various stages of colorectal cancer are already recommended by NICE and at present, the Committee “does not feel it has enough clear evidence, especially in the case of bevacizumab, to be able to recommend these drugs for use on the NHS.”

The preliminary recommendations are now available for public consultation.

“It is also possible for the manufacturers to provide further comment on the committee’s interpretation of their products’ clinical effectiveness or consider reducing the price they are asking the NHS to pay through a patient access scheme,” Dillon said.