Health Watchdog Turns Down Desperate Appeal
Health chiefs have rejected the desperate plea of terminal cancer patients for new drugs, offering instead a two-year review process that could outlast many patients' remaining time.
Accusations of Setting an "Impossibly High Bar"
NHS watchdog NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, has been accused by charities and manufacturers of setting an "impossibly high bar" for new medicines for those with incurable tumors.
Disappointment and Calls for Urgency
Charities express deep disappointment over the rejection of drugs like Enhertu and IsaPD, urging NICE to be more ambitious in their timelines to avoid kicking the issue into the long grass.
NICE Defends Decision, Claims System is Working
NICE defends its decision, stating that the system is working as intended and has led to the approval of more drugs since its change in 2022, despite having to make "heartbreaking decisions."
