Erbitux cancer drug rebuffed again by UK's NICE

LONDON, May 14 (Reuters) - Britain's medical cost-effectiveness watchdog rebuffed ImClone Systems Inc.'s IMCL.O Erbitux again on Monday, recommending against its use in combination with radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

(NICE), which rules on which drugs should be prescribed on the state health service in England and Wales, has already recommended against using Erbitux in colorectal cancer.

The latest decision is contained in draft guidance and is subject to appeal. Erbitux is sold in Europe by Germany's Merck KGaA (MRCG.DE).

The move was criticised by patient groups, who argue NICE is blocking access to modern -- but expensive -- cancer treatments on the National Health Service (NHS).

A report by Swedish researchers last week said Britain had one of the worst records among developed countries in providing access to new cancer therapies.

But NICE Chief Executive Andrew Dillon defended the organisation's record.

"NICE has reviewed 39 cancer drugs for a variety of indications since its inception. Of these we have recommended 35 for routine or selective use -- only four treatments are not recommended for use in the NHS," he said in a statement.

"The NHS has finite resources and it is our job to ensure that these are spent on treatments that confer enough of a benefit to patients in relation to the amount of money they cost."

((Reporting by Ben Hirschler; editing by Paul Bolding; email: ben.hirschler@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: ben.hirschler.reuters.com@reuters.net; +44 20 7542 5082)) Keywords: IMCLONE BRITAIN/

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