Cancer drug rejected over cost

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence said cabazitaxel (Jevtana), in combination with prednisone or prednisolone was not cost-effective as a second line treatmen t after hormone therapy.

Sir Andrew Dillon, the chief executive of the institute, said: “Although cabazitaxel has been shown to be effective, it is also associated with a number of adverse events.

“The committee was particularly concerned about the uncertainty around the effect on patients’ renal and cardiac systems.

“It was also concerned about the validity of the health-related quality of life information provided by the manufacturer.”