Roche decision denies cancer drug to Britons

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Published at: www.ft.com

Michael GrossbardProfessor of Clinical MedicineCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS

Avastin Effecitve in Lung and Breast Cancer But is it Cost Effective?

July 7, 2008

Roche has elected not to provide information on the cost effectiveness and clinical effectiveness of Avastin in breast cancer to the medicine advisory board of the British government.  As such, the drug will not be able for first line treatment of these diseases in Britain.

Looks like the Britons don't care anyway...

June 30, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Drug company (Roche) retaliates against an agency that speaks the truth about their chemical - that it's cost is not worth the minimal benefit.  This will become more common as time goes on, even here in the bastion of capitalism.

Avastin for front-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer: Not a big market

June 30, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Avastin's recent FDA approval for m-breast cancer ( m-BCA) was lukewarm at best with no overall survival benefit yet and modest PFS data. European regulatory agencies usually require cost efficacy data and more strict data, which are not readily available for Roche/Genetech. The British market is not big for innovative agents like Avastin, so the company's decision is unlikely to impact a large company like Roche.

Government Health Service - A Disgrace

June 30, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

The notion that a government agency can provide excellent health service is debunked by the tragedy of the United Kingdom's National Health Service's rejection of a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer. 

The heck with the impact on Roche. How about the patients??

June 30, 2008

Analysis by: GLG Expert Contributor

Patients who wish to receive Avastin for breast and lung Cancer will need to pay for it themselves.