Enhurtu cancer drug won't be offered on Island through NHS

NICE refuses to make drug available in England and Wales

A drug that could keep patients with advanced breast cancer alive for longer will not be made available to NHS patients in the Isle of Man.

The Isle of Man currently covers all drugs and treatments on the NHS England Cancer Drugs Fund list. 

But the refusal by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellent (NICE) to make Enhurtu available to patients in England and Wales means it won't be available here. 

It's estimated that more than a thousand patients with advanced breast cancer could benefit from the drug that could keep them alive for between 6 months and 3 years.

Enhurtu, which is made by Astra Zeneca is available in 19 countries including Scotland, but has been rejected by NICE on the grounds that it doesn't offer value for money.

Responding to an enquiry from Manx Radio Manx Care says that in line with the DHSC policy on access to cancer treatments, it funds all drugs and treatments on the NHS England Cancer Drugs Fund list, which means that all drugs and treatments offered by Clatterbridge Cancer Centre are available to Isle of Man patients.

NICE states that the specific recommendation on ENHURTU will not affect treatment already started before its guidance was published.