UK Cancer Fund Switches Course on Certain Indications for Novartis’ Afinitor

NHS England has reinstated two of the three indications for Novartis’ cancer drug Afinitor to its cancer fund, which is use to reimburse cancer therapies not considered cost effective by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

All three of Afinitor’s (everolimus) indications — for breast, pancreatic and renal cell cancer — were scrubbed from NHS England’s cancer drug fund late last year, but the regulator reversed course this month and reinstated reimbursement for breast and renal cell cancer. The pancreatic cancer indication is also to be reconsidered this month.

In December, NHS England pulled around 25 cancer therapies, including Afinitor, from the fund. Drugmakers such as Eisai, whose Halaven (eribulin) was among drugs cut from the program, lashed out at the decision, calling it arbitrary and harmful to patient access. The Japanese drugmaker appealed the decision and has won reconsideration. Other drugmakers subject to removal have also appealed.

Novartis did not respond to a request for comment by press time. — Bryan Koenig