Fund the drug bevacizumab (Avastin) on the NHS to treat colorectal cancer

NICE has previously reviewed Avastin (bevacizumab) as a treatment for colorectal cancer and recommended it should not be offered on the NHS. The drug’s patent has since ended, which has reduced the cost. We request that this drug now be made available on the NHS for all colorectal cancer patients.

Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a drug that acts on cancer cells; it is used as a first line treatment of colorectal (bowel) and other cancers in some parts of Europe & the USA. However, the UK postcode lottery means patients have to self-fund this treatment, which can cost between £200-£2000 per round of treatment, with some patients needing multiple rounds alongside chemotherapy – a terrifying choice for those already on reduced incomes.

We are very sorry to learn about anyone who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. We know that a diagnosis can be devastating news to individuals and we recognise the immense challenges faced by them, their loved ones and friends following diagnosis.

The Government understands how important it is for NHS patients to have access to the most effective and innovative cancer treatments. It is also important that we have a system in place for making evidence-based decisions on which medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS to ensure the most efficient use of NHS resources, and that every pound spent on healthcare goes towards paying for medicines hospitals, doctors and nurses.

In England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes evidence-based recommendations for the NHS on whether new licensed medicines represent a clinical and cost-effective use of resources. NICE is a world-leader in the development of evidence-based guidance, and plays a crucial role in securing rapid access to the most clinically and cost-effective treatments for NHS patients. Where NICE recommends a medicine, NHS commissioners are legally required to make funding routinely available so that clinicians can offer it to their patients. Many thousands of patients have benefitted from access to new medicines as a result of NICE’s important work.

In 2012, NICE appraised bevacizumab (Avastin) for use in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. After assessing the available evidence, it was unable to recommend bevacizumab as a clinically and cost-effective use of NHS resources. It is therefore not routinely funded on the NHS in England. However, NICE maintains surveillance of new evidence that may affect its published guidance, including cost considerations, and will consult on proposed changes with a wide range of stakeholders if any significant new evidence were to emerge. If patients or clinicians believe there is significant new evidence, they should contact NICE.