England’s breast cancer patients face setbacks as Enhertu is denied NHS coverage, contrasting with its approval in Scotland, while a new treatment for womb cancer brings hope.
Breast cancer patients in England face a significant challenge as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has denied NHS coverage for the new treatment, Enhertu, due to its high cost relative to perceived benefits. Enhertu, developed by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca, represents the first targeted therapy for individuals with HER2-low breast cancer, a condition with few chemotherapy options. Despite its approval and subsequent availability in Scotland, discussions around its cost have stalled its availability in England, sparking concerns from the charity Breast Cancer Now about unequal access to treatment across the UK.
In contrast, there’s a positive development for patients battling womb cancer. NICE has approved Dostarlimab (marketed as Jemperli), to be available on the NHS as a first-line treatment for advanced or recurring womb cancers. The decision promises to extend the lives and improve the quality of life for hundreds of patients annually, with clinical trials showing promising results of the drug in combination with chemotherapy.
The refusal to approve Enhertu in England for terminal breast cancer patients despite its availability in Scotland and other European countries has been met with significant criticism. Breast Cancer Now has called it a “dark day,” urging the drug’s developers to reconsider pricing to make it accessible. This issue underscores a broader concern about access to life-extending treatments in the NHS and the challenge of balancing cost with the introduction of innovative therapies.
