Key points
NHS announces changes as projections show rise to £410m in costs without de-listings
The NHS has proposed removing some drugs from the list of those funded by the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF).
In cases where a drug is proposed for removal, but does offer "enough clinical benefit", companies can reduce their asking price to avoid being removed.
The NHS has warned that it does not expect the CDF to be on budget this year, but should be within budget during 2016/17.
Patients currently receiving treatments available from the CDF will continue to do so even if they are removed from the list.
The NHS has increased the CDF's budget from £200m in 2013/14 to £340m from April 2015, an increase of 70% since August 2014.
Without further changes to the fund spending on the CDF would rise to around £410m.
Drugs due to be removed include Albumin Bound Paclitaxel, used to treat advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and Bendamustine, used in the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia.
Drugs which will remain funded by the CDF include Eribulin, used in the treatment of breast cancer, and Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin, used in the treatment of sarcomas.
A complete list of those drugs within the Fund, and those scheduled for removal, can be found here.
Announcing the changes, Professor Peter Clark, chair of the Cancer Drugs Fund, said: "There is no escaping the fact that we face a difficult set of choices, but it is our duty to ensure we get maximum value from every penny available on behalf of patients.
"We must ensure we invest in those treatments that offer the most benefit, based on rigorous evidence-based clinical analysis and an assessment of the cost of those treatments."
Further reading:
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