Drug verdict disappoints charity

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has ruled in draft guidance that azacitidine cannot be prescribed on the NHS for the treatment of a number of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

The draft guidance affects patients who are not suitable for stem cell transplation, who have intermediate-2 and high risk MDS, chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia.

Mike Hobday, head of campaigns at Macmillan Cancer Support, said today: "We are extremely disappointed Nice has rejected the only drug available proven to give patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia more time and a better quality of life. Azacitidine is just one of many drugs for rarer cancers to be rejected by Nice in the past year. The current system is failing people with rarer cancers. It's time for a more flexible approach."

Nice said final guidance on the drug after a period of consultation on the draft ruling would be issued in May.

The watchdog said that according to the manufacturer's estimates, azacitidine costs around 45,000 per patient.