NICE fails to recommend two personalized treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer

17 November 2015

German pharma company Merck (MRK: DE) has expressed disappointment after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the medicines cost watch dog for England and Wales, failed to recommend two specific personalized treatments - cetuximab and panitumumab – for first line treatment in combination with chemotherapy of metastatic colorectal cancer.

The preliminary recommendations were issued by the NICE in an appraisal consultation document (ACD) today. The decision was reached on the basis that the treatments were not cost effective even when the medicines were set to zero price.

If final NICE guidance, due to be issued next Spring following a consultation period, mirrors today’s preliminary recommendations, it will mean these treatments will no longer be widely available on the National Health Service (NHS).

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