New Breast Cancer Drug Deemed Too Expensive for the UK's NHS

Never mind that some people would be fine to pay for it themselves

LONDON (Reuters) – Roche's new breast cancer drug Perjeta is not worth using on Britain's state health service given its high price and the lack of data showing how long it might extend life, the country's healthcare cost watchdog said.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) said on Tuesday it could not be sure of Perjeta's benefits, adding that not even the manufacturer estimated it would be considered cost-effective for the National Health Service.

NICE's draft recommendation against using Perjeta is now open for consultation before final guidance is issued.