Access to cancer drugs

SIR – I strongly disagree with the assertion in Sean O’neill’s column (June 18) that the NHS is wrongly denying patients access to the cancer drug ibrutinib. In fact, the NHS is funding the cancer drug in line with recommendations by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

NHS cancer experts set treatment criteria in line with guidance from Nice, as the body that assesses the cost and clinical effectiveness of drugs.

Nice has confirmed that the NHS’S interpretation of their guidance on ibrutinib is reasonable. These criteria are also consistent with European clinical consensus guidelines.

Furthermore, NHS England wrote to the main clinical forum for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in March 2017, explaining the rationale for the treatment criteria set. We received no response.

In its appraisal, Nice anticipated that 700 adults a year would get this drug. Latest figures show that nearly 1,000 patients have had this drug approved over 15 months, which is in line with Nice’s expectations.

NHS England’s cancer clinical experts who considered this medical evidence are open to receiving further evidence from patients and clinicians, should they wish to make this available. The experts will review any submitted evidence by the end of July.

Professor Stephen Powis

National Medical Director NHS England