National Institute for Health and Care Excellence caused disappointment among cancer charities with the rejection of the use of AstraZeneca’s ovarian cancer drug olaparib (Lynparza) in the National Health Service in England and Wales

“Olaparib slows the progression of the disease for patients with some forms of ovarian cancer but the evidence that it can extend life is uncertain,” noted NICE chief executive Sir Andrew Dillon.

With the cost regulator ruling that the price the NHS is being asked to pay “is too high for the benefit it may provide to patients”.

Professor Paul Workman, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:  “We remain disappointed that women with ovarian cancer and mutations to their BRCA genes are still not being granted this world-first drug on the NHS. I'd urge NICE and the manufacturer to keep talking and do everything they can to make the drug available."

“It is at least positive that NICE is actively listening to evidence submitted through consultations, and seems to be looking for ways to make olaparib available. The latest announcement offers a glimmer of hope that some women with ovarian cancer will eventually get access to olaparib, which was underpinned by science conducted here at the ICR."

“But even if the latest ‘no’ from NICE is reversed for some women, olaparib would still only be available for women after several rounds of chemotherapy - meaning there will be many who miss out on its quality-of life-benefits earlier in the course of treatment, or do not access it at all."

“Olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, is the first cancer drug to be approved that is directed against an inherited genetic mutation, and the difficulty in getting it approved underlines the need for changes to the way NICE appraises innovative drugs.”

Source: NICE and the ICR