CDF figures a welcome relief for UK health bosses

The UK’s first stab at creating a Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF), to give patients access to oncology treatments not available on the National Health Service (NHS), became unsustainable after the Department of Health overspent the fund’s £480 million ($678 million) budget for two years between 2013 and 2015 by £167 million.

This led to the launch of a revamped CDF in July 2016, and NHS bosses who are under ever-increasing pressure to deliver drugs and services while controlling costs, will be relieved to see some early indications of its success.

"Tough negotiations and flexibility are leading to more deals with pharmaceutical companies"