Interim decision on lung cancer drug

Cancerbackup and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation said they were disappointed with the news and issued the following statement: “Tarceva will give some patients extra time which can be extremely valuable to patients and their families. We strongly urge NICE to take account of the views of lung cancer patients and their doctors and overturn the announcement. Until the Final Appraisal Determination is made, clinicians should continue to prescribe Tarceva where appropriate, in line with health service guidelines."

Cancerbackup and the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation will now submit further evidence in support of the use of Tarceva in patients with lung cancer who are likely to benefit from the drug, before NICE makes its final decision.