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UK cost agency says "no" to Novartis blood cancer drug Jakavi
LONDON |
LONDON (Reuters) - A new drug from Novartis for myelofibrosis, a rare blood cancer, is not worth using on the state health service, Britain's healthcare cost watchdog said on Wednesday.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) said it had issued new draft guidance not recommending Jakavi because it could not be considered a cost-effective use of resources.
The drug costs 3,600 pounds ($5,600) for a 60-tablet pack, corresponding to an annual cost of approximately 43,200 pounds per patient.
Jakavi, which was licensed from Incyte, was given a marketing authorization in Europe last August.
Industry analysts expect it to have annual worldwide sales of around $1.5 billion by 2017, according to consensus forecasts compiled by Thomson Reuters Pharma.
The NICE draft guidance is now out for consultation, ahead of a final decision on the medicine expected in June.
(Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
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Novartis is passing a death sentence on people for reasons of pure greed. This is unconscionable.
Anyone who is denied this lifesaving drug due to “cost” should sue Novartis and the insurance provider, whoever they may be. While Novartis has a right to recoup costs, they do not have the right to cast a death sentence on someone because they aren’t rich enough to afford this overpriced lifesaving “device”.
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