WIREDGOV

In draft guidance, published today (9 February 2010), the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been unable to recommend everolimus (afinitor, Novartis) for the second line treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.

This draft guidance is now available for public consultation. Consultees, healthcare professionals and members of the public are able to comment on the recommendations which are available from 9 February until 2 March 2010 on the NICE website. Comments received during this consultation will be fully considered by the Appraisal Committee in March.  Following this, the next draft guidance will be issued. 

Professor Peter Littlejohns, NICE Clinical and Public Health Director said: “We are disappointed not to be able to recommend everolimus as a second line treatment option for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. But NHS resources are limited and NICE has to decide which treatments represent best value to the patient as well as the NHS. Although evidence implies that this treatment is clinically effective, there is limited data about how long it can extend life. Everolimus is an expensive drug and we have to be sure the evidence on its effectiveness is robust before we recommend it.  We do not want to divert NHS funds to a treatment that costs more but doesn’t help people live longer.”