NICE provisionally recommends Taxotere

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has given provisional clearance to recommend Sanofi-Aventis’ chemotherapy drug Taxotere for the treatment of prostate cancer.

It is believed that final guidance will be issued around July next year for use of the drug in men with advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer.

The drug had failed to gain approval for use on the NHS by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC). However, decisions by NICE supersede decisions by the SMC so the drug will be available across the UK if approved.

In 2004, Sanofi-Aventis posted sales of 1.4 billion euros ($1.66 billion) for Taxotere, making it the company’s fourth-placed drug in terms of revenues.

© Adfero Ltd