Roche’s Herceptin EU approval welcomed by UK cancer groups

The European Commission’s approval of Herceptin, the Roche drug designed for use on patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, has been welcomed by UK cancer groups.

Herceptin has been prescribed privately in some primary care trusts but not others, leading to what some have termed as a “post code lottery”. However, the European Commission’s decision to approve the drug for early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer paves the way for full approval for general NHS use, according to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive, said: “The wealth of evidence available together with this licensing decision, will reassure those who were previously cautious about prescribing a drug that wasn’t licensed for early breast cancer.”

“Breakthrough hopes NICE in England and Wales and the SMC in Scotland, will issue guidance to the NHS on providing Herceptin as soon as possible,” he added.

“With European-wide licensing in place, it’s vital that the UK health system does not fall behind other countries’ standards of cancer treatment and care,” concluded Mr Hughes.

According to the Metro, the estimated cost of a year-long Herceptin course is 20,000 pounds per patient, which would be provided free of charge by the NHS if NICE approves the drug for NHS use. One patient, Elisabeth Cooke, told the newspaper: “The scapegoating for all theses women who need Herceptin will end. We are no longer going to be held responsible for the ills of the NHS.”

Last month NICE said it would not be rushed into approving any drug if it meant relaxing rigorous approval procedures to ensure safety.

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